Both teams have started their respective seasons well; Trinity sitting fourth in the Pitching In Northern Premier League, Premier Division, whilst Shifnal occupy the final play-off spot in the league below, the Pitching In Northern Premier League Division 1, West.

Most recently, they drew 1-1 with Atherton Collieries on Wednesday evening to go one point clear of big spending Bury & level on points with fourth placed Vauxhall Motors.

In the league, Shifnal have played five away from home. Winning two and losing two, picking up seven points. They have recorded four clean sheets in their dozen games so far this campaign (in all competitions). Their biggest winning margin was 3-0 at home to Stafford Rangers. Their biggest defeat, by the same scoreline, came away at big-spending Bury.

Twice pegged back from leading positions by Bootle. The side three points and five places behind them in the table, Stalybridge Celtic are a point ahead of them in the table, but already have a massive (at this stage of the season) three games in hand! Plenty certainly needs to settle down in the NPL West – but it’s the same in the Premier Division too!

Trinity's recent cup pedigree, under boss Russ Wilcox, has been nothing short of superb. Last season's run to the Second Round Proper & a televised Emirates FA Cup tie will live long in the memory. As will the Holy Blues' Isuzu FA Trophy campaign from last season. Eventually losing out to Enterprise National League side Woking 0-3 at home, Wilcox's men had gone toe to toe with York City, Rushall Olympic & Chester FC as well as beating Clitheroe and Kettering (away) 4-1 and 2-0. The biggest scalp of that run, undoubtedly was beating York City at the Kal Group Stadium. At the time, York were sitting atop of the Enterprise National League - and there was no tougher opponent the Holy Blues could have possibly faced!

Now with the shoe on the other foot, Russ Wilcox's side will be wary of a potential banana skin - though his side have become accustomed to finding ways of beating lower level opposition. Wins over Corby Town & Dunston UTS already in this season's FA Cup demonstrate Wilcox's belief, "The main thing you want in the cup, is a home draw - and we've got that - so I'm delighted. It will be another tough game, against a side that was promoted last season. We respect every team that we play though & welcome them to the Kal Group Stadium."

New recruit Josh Ayres is in line to make his debut, having joined on loan from Rotherham United earlier in the week. Providing boss Russ Wilcox with a different attacking option.

Elsewhere in the Trophy:

Ashton United vs Clitheroe
Bamber Bridge vs Widnes AFC (Bamber Bridge walkover)
Bridlington Town vs Guiseley
Cleethorpes Town vs Redditch United
Dunston vs Warrington Rylands
Evesham United vs Ilkeston Town
Halesowen Town vs Leek Town
Harborough Town vs Hednesford Town
Hyde United vs Warrington Town
Prescot Cables vs Lancaster City
Rushall Olympic vs Spalding United
Silsden vs Stocksbridge Park Steels
Stockton Town vs Lower Breck
Whitby Town vs Hebburn Town
Workington AFC vs FC United of Manchester

Preview by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook & Tommy Cox