Saturday see’s us begin our 19th campaign in the Buildbase FA Trophy, in the Preliminary round at home to Goole, who we meet in this competition for the first time.

Our first appearance in the competition was in the 1999/2000 season, a 3-0 away victory at Atherstone United which resulted in a Second round tie at home to then National League side Doncaster Rovers.

A crowd of around 1100 packed into Ingfield as the NPL new boys gave their illustrious opponents a scare, the game was settled by just a single goal – from the only shot on goal Rovers had.

We did not win another game in the competition for six years, it took two attempts and penalties to get past Stocksbridge Park Steeks in 05/06, but that was the only success that season as the run ended in the second qualifying round, Clitheroe the victors on penalties.

Town returned to the first round in 2007/08 thanks to qualifying round wins over Whitby Town, Warrington Town and Rushall Olympic. Stafford Rangers, however, were a step too far winning 3-1 on their own ground.

Another run to the first round followed the next season, Guiseley, Beworth United and Fleetwood Town sent packing before Ilkeston proved too strong.

Next weekend’s FA Cup fourth qualifying opponents were the ones to stop Town making it to the first round in 2011/12 but The Reds did get to that stage a year later, losing to former Championship side Stockport County.

There have been slim pickings in this competition since then with Preliminary Round defeats in the last two seasons.

Grant Black will have a bigger squad to select from than last weekend as Danny South and Jordan Deacey, FA Cup tied, are available for this competition. Martin Pembleton is nearing full fitness but Andy Hawksworth remains a long term absentee.

It is less than a month since Ossett Town travelled to Goole in the Evo-Stik League, coming away with a 3-0 victory, however Grant Black is not using that game as a benchmark for this one “We will be prepared and ready for another tough game in another competition we want to progress in”.

“Goole have added a lot to their squad since we last played them, bringing in a lot of quality so we know it will be a tough game. We cannot afford to have a hangover from Tuesday night and we will make sure the lads know they are fighting for their place in the squad for the following weekend’s game with Solihull Moors”.

"If they do not perform on Saturday it may will give someone else the opportunity to come in, this alone should keep everyone at their best, and on a cup run the players demand from each other high standards every time we play”.