SPENNYMOOR take on one of the biggest names in non-league football when Sutton United come to the Brewery Field in the second round of the Buildbase FA Trophy today.

Sutton are famously known for beating First Division Coventry in the FA Cup in 1988 and last season they reached the fifth round of the FA Cup before losing to Arsenal. They also lost in the National League play offs last season. They are currently sixth in the National League, with six away wins to their credit.

They have already been knocked out of the competition once, as they lost at Bromley in the previous round, but were reinstated when Bromley were found to have played an ineligible player.

Moors boss Jason Ainsley said; “Sutton are steeped in history, they’ve done really well in FA competitions over the years. They’ve beaten Football League sides in the FA Cup, and they’ve been to Wembley in the Trophy final as well as reaching the semi-finals.

“It doesn’t matter whether they should, or shouldn’t be in the competition still, they must be respected.

“It’s an opportunity for us to test ourselves against a team who are placed higher in the national system than we are -- we have nothing to lose. There is no pressure on us, the onus is on Sutton. It is a free hit as far as we are concerned.

“We’ve had them watched a couple of times, ever since we heard that there was possibly an issue with the Bromley game. There are quite a few experienced players in their squad, and we know that they play some very good football. Their league position proves that.”

The one result that Ainsley doesn’t want is a draw. “The last thing we want is a midweek replay at Sutton, although last season we won at East Thurrock after they drew up here. We want to avoid a similar situation this time round.”

Ainsley is urging as many Spennymoor fans to turn out for the game as possible, and cheer them on to a victory that will put them into the last 16 of the national competition for the second season running.

“We have a great loyal band of supporters who follow us all over the north of England, but this is a great game for the whole community of Spennymoor.

“Sutton are a well-respected club who just missed out on going to the Football League last season.

“We need people to come and support us. I couldn’t believe that we had 1200 in the ground for the game against Blyth when we played some excellent football, but then we had only roughly half that for the midweek home win over Kidderminster.

“If we don’t start getting more people through the door, then what will our chairman, Brad Groves, think? Just for the amount of time and effort that he’s put into the club, he deserves more support.”

Ainsley has some injury problems to be concerned about. Midfielder Rob Ramshaw, defender Jake Hibbs and striker Mark Anderson are all out injured, while midfielder Jamie Chandler has been suffering from flu all week.

Moors have played Sutton at the Brewery Field before, way back in the 1973 Amateur Cup, when Sutton won 2-0 in the third round.

Also in the Trophy, Blyth are at home to Boreham Wood.

In the EvoStik League Premier, South Shields are hoping to keep the pressure on the other teams at the top when they go to Basford United.

In the EvoStik League East, Marske United are looking to end a three-match losing run when they go to bottom club Stocksbridge, while leaders Morpeth are at Gresley.