No old pals act for Redditch boss

Gary Whild feels Redditch are overdue a run in the FA Cup

Redditch United manager Gary Whild says his friendship with Stratford Town boss Rod Brown will have to go on hold when they contest Saturday's FA Cup tie.

Whild has been friends with Brown for a long time but is keen for the Reds to win their second qualifying round tie to ruin his old mate's weekend.

"He's a good friend and has been a successful manager wherever he's been," Whild told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"He had a lot of success with me here and he'll be looking to get a result."

So often in their Blue Square North fixtures Redditch are the underdogs, so it will be an unusual experience going into Saturday's Valley Stadium clash (1500 BST) as clear favourites against the Midland Alliance high fliers.

"I don't think I've progressed beyond the qualifying rounds in all my time at Redditch," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

"It's been a competition in which we've never done any good and I personally have never had any success in it, so it's about time we changed that.

"There's a bit of spice there as Mickey Moore was there last year and I have worked closely with Rod Brown in the past.

"There are one or two players there who are associated with this club as well. So it is a difficult game and we know we have got to be right to get a result."

BBC Hereford and Worcester will be following Redditch's progress throughout Sport on Saturday (from 1400 BST).