'Anything can happen' - Wythenshawe boss Fallon on historic FA Cup tie

So far, they’ve brushed four opponents to the wayside after entering in the extra preliminary round, needing replays against Runcorn Linnets and Whitchurch Alport.

Their seventh game in this season’s competition sees them face opponents in a higher division for the first time, as they host Farsley Celtic - the side currently sitting 11th in the National League North - at Ericstan Park.

The NPL West Division new boys have enjoyed a solid start to their first season at Step 4, and Fallon believes that a tie against the higher-division Celts is something his side have earned.

“We’ve had a tough route, so we do deserve our chance at Farsley,” he said.

“We know they’re going to be a good side, but we’ve got players who have played at that level and some of the younger guys aspire to be at that level.

“At our place we'll take anyone on, give it a good go and take it almost as a free hit.”

Their cup tie against Farsley has also been chosen for live BBC coverage, with the broadcasters selecting the fixture as their televised game of the round.

With the prospect of an upset on the cards, and the rarity of having the cameras down at Ericstan Park for a 12:30pm kick-off, FA Cup fever has definitely taken over the club. 

And while Fallon admits that both himself as a manager and his players live for big games such as this, he feels his squad need to play to their strengths if an upset is to be on the cards.

“If you get too caught up in the cameras or focus on the prospect of playing higher opposition, then you don’t play your normal game,” he added.

“Sometimes young players see the cameras and feel they need to impress or do things that they normally wouldn’t do, but we’ve got to keep grounded, focus and make sure the approach doesn’t change.”

In the Wythenshawe Town squad are a number of senior players who are no strangers to the big occasion.

Their ranks include captain Sam Sheridan, who played the majority of his career in Step 2 for the likes of Barrow, Stockport County and FC United of Manchester, and former Premier League winger George Boyd - an FA Cup finalist in 2013/14 during his time at Hull City.

On his side's preparations, Fallon explained: “We’ll approach the game as normal - train Thursday, receive information on the opposition and warm-up on the day, the same as we would for a normal league game.

“Everyone at the club is excited and looking forward to it, and there’s absolutely no reason why we can’t go out there and beat them. 

“It’s the FA Cup - anything can happen!”

Saturday's game will be available to watch via BBC iPlayer, the red button and BBC Sport website on tablet, phone and desktop, with the winners moving one step away from the first round proper.

Photo credit: Wythenshawe Town