LEIGH RMI boss Steve Waywell is warning his players not to become complacent ahead of Saturday's FA Cup crunch match at Moor Green.
RMI travel to Birmingham for the final qualifying round clash in good spirits after three crucial wins in ten days. But the manager is eager to avoid the lacklustre performance that saw his side dumped out by Worksop Town at the same stage 12 months ago.
"People shouldn't expect it to be a walk in the park", asserted the manager.
"It will be a different type of game than we are used to in a different environment and they will know that they have nothing to lose as the underdogs. If we are not in the right frame of mind, we will make life very difficult for ourselves."
And with the club in perilous financial problems, the £20,000 prize money on offer to the winners at the Moorlands should be motivation enough for the Conference club against Dr.Martens League opposition.
A place in the first round hat and a chance to take on league sides in three weeks time acts as an additional bonus.
Indeed, the Midlands side have struggled immensely to date this season. They managed to glean just a single point from the season's first seven games and, despite a recent upsurge in form, were hammered 4-0 at Chelmsford City last weekend.
Having rested Gerry Harrison and Ian Monk for the LDV thriller at Southport, though, Waywell has gone part way towards ensuring a fit RMI side.
A battling 90 minutes from Andy Heald also means progression and there is a real battle for places up front with Neil Tolson, Chris Ward and Ged Courtney all fighting to partner Dino Maamria.
Waywell is the first to admit that this is one of the toughest games of the season but if they manage to fight their way into the first round proper, it will also be one of the most rewarding.
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