HEREFORD manager Josh Gowling is expecting a tough match when his side head to Stamford AFC in the FA Trophy this weekend.

The Bulls are due to head to the Northern Premier League South-East (step four on non-league) on Saturday for their fourth round tie.

The winners will receive £5,250 and losers receive £1,500.

Despite playing the the fourth tier of non-league Stamford have knocked Stourbridge, Kidsgrove and Kidderminster Harriers out of the competition.

However, Stamford have not played competitive football since their win over Kidderminster in the third round on December 15.

“We’ve been a bit unfortunate that we’ve had a 10-day gap but you would like to think momentum wise it’s with us,” said Gowling.

“It’s a tough place to go, they’ve just beaten Kidderminster, but we’ll be going there to win.

“It’s their cup final. Sometimes when you draw a team at your level it’s just another game.

“You find the lower level teams will up their game and sometimes they are harder games.

"This might be their last game of the season so that's motivation in itself."

In the FA Trophy third round Hereford beat non-league step three side Nantwich Town 1-0.

“The Nantwich game was a tough game, away from home on their pitch, was probably tougher than a lot of league games we’ve had this season,” added Gowling.

“So it’s not a given. The surface isn’t bad but they’re also a decent team.

“We can’t take it for granted just because they are lower league that we’re going to roll them over.

“I think what people need to realise is football is getting better at the lower levels now.

“A lot more teams are playing football in the right way and it’s a bit more of a tempo.

“I would expect them to get the ball down and play. They played against Kiddy who are a good passing side and beat them so it’s going to be a tough game for us.”

The Bulls are then due to head to Darlington on Tuesday night in the National League North.

Hereford have played just 12 league games this season while their hosts have played 10.

“Us, Boston and Darlington have played the least amount of games so we will have to fit them in somewhere,” added Gowling.

“We’ve just got to put ourselves in a position that when the games come up we’re in a good position.

“Then we can rotate our squad a little bit and give players a rest.

“That’s all that can be hoped for.”