Bees buzzing for first-ever FA Cup first-round tie

Harborough Town defeated Bury earlier this month to reach the first round proper of the FA Cup

Excitement is building in Leicestershire ahead of Harborough Town's FA Cup first-round tie against Tonbridge Angels at the weekend.

It will be the first time the Bees have played in the first round proper of the competition since the club were founded in 1975 after defeating Bury at home 1-0 earlier this month in the final qualifying round.

And despite receiving criticism of playing negative football en route to Saturday's fixture in Kent, the Market Harborough-based club cannot wait for it to come around.

"We're buzzing with the opportunity that's provided with our first-team coach, our manager, our gaffer: Mitch Austin - he's been tremendous at the club, a revelation," director of youth Football Maz Hayton told BBC Radio Leicester.

"And with his expertise, knowledge and man-management - because at that level its about managing people - and if you can manage the players, the players will play for you."

Austin took over at the club four years ago and since then the club have been promoted twice.

Harborough play in Southern League Premier Central - the seventh tier of English football - where they currently sit in 16th place.

They go into the match as underdogs with their hosts playing in National League South, one division above.

"Mitch is not shy from playing young players as well," Hayton added. "He's a tremendous guy - very good with people."

Joint-coach of Harborough's under-23 side, Josh Unsworth said: "It's such a family club here, you see the gaffer with the under-11s on a Tuesday night. The way he is with them, it just breeds confidence and love throughout the whole football club.

"When you've got your first-team gaffer doing that with the under-11s, showing interest in them, it just breeds so much through the football club."