Tie is seventh heaven for Stevens

Stevens is relishing his side's third qualifying round challenge at the Meres on Saturday against a Magpies outfit managed by former Blackburn Rovers striker Matt Jansen with the Gingerbreads flying and up to third in the top flight table after Lee Shaw bagged a hat-trick in last weekend's 3-0 win at Buxton.

The EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's players have already notched up FA Trophy wins over Halesowen Town and Kidsgrove Athletic and Stevens told fans: “I watched their FA Cup tie against Fleetwood and was impressed by them. However, our lads are really enjoying themselves at the moment. They’re working hard for each other, they've got a great bond and don’t want to lose any match.

"The lads were superb on Saturday. Buxton had a couple of chances in the first half but with Lee Shaw we were able to go in at the break one goal to the good. And from there, we never looked back.”

Grantham Town chairman Roger Booth also hailed the bond between fans and players at Silverlands last weekend in a joint statement on Thursday as the Gingerbreads prepared for their first third qualifying round tie in 12 years against the former Northern Premier League club who currently sit just two points off the National League North play-off spots.

“The support we have is phenomenal," said Booth. "I can turn up at any match and I know who I’m going to be saying hello to. Throughout Saturday they were really vocal in the support and they had lots of fun throughout the ninety minutes. Then, to see the players go over and hug, hi-five and celebrate with the fans at full-time was wonderful to see."

Images courtesy of theFA.com & @granthamtownfc/Twitter

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