LEE Elam's Eccleshill United have been preparing for their FA Cup Second Preliminary round tie this weekend with an eye-catching fixture awaiting them.

The Bradford side host Charnock Richard today (3:00 pm), a side who currently find themselves sitting in fourth in the NWCFL Premier Division.

Both sides play at the same level in the non-league pyramid, however based on location, the two teams play in different divisions.

Charnock, who are based in Chorley, play an exciting, attack minded brand of football and Eccleshill will certainly be wary of the dangers they may face.

In their division, they currently lead the way in goals scored and have a far superior goal difference to the sides around them after only four games- scoring 15 goals in the process.

To progress to the Second Preliminary round, the NWCFL side eased to a 2-0 victory away at Winsford United, while Eccleshill thrashed Silsden 4-0 on the road.

Despite Charnock's fast start to the campaign, United have the home advantage this weekend and manager Elam is hoping his side can be given that added boost.

He said: "It's really good that we've got a home tie this weekend.

"There is always a positive feeling about being drawn at home in a cup fixture. We've been preparing and training on the pitch so the lads are ready as possible.

"Hopefully we get a bit of a crowd up there and people come and show their support because it's the FA Cup and for a lot of people, it's what dreams are made of.

"I used to love playing in the FA Cup. It's a competition that the players always want to play in and do well in, so hopefully we can progress and show what we can do.

"An FA Cup run is good for all the local teams because it brings crowds in and brings the community together. It's nice for friends and families of the players too, to see them playing in such a big competition."

Elam added: "It's going to be a tough game against Charnock. We've had some good reports on them and we know they like to create chances and score goals. It will be difficult to stop them, but hopefully we do that and create a number of chances ourselves. We are ready."

Eccleshill United claimed their first league win of the season on Tuesday evening after a scintillating display at Emley AFC.

Five different players got on the scoresheet for the away side, with goals coming from: Cooper, Day, Cissa, Sangster and substitute Wade to ease them to a 5-1 victory.

United turned on the heat after the break, scoring four in a 28-minute period to pull away from the hosts.

Going into the fixture, the Bradford side had only scored once in their first three league outings but on this occasion the attacking impetus was there for all to see.

Reflecting on the game, Elam was particularly happy with several aspects of his side's performance.

He said: " It was a very good display from the side, especially after being beaten on the weekend. I wanted a response and we got that.

"We worked extremely hard to win the ball back and we managed to do that on a number of occasions with our pressing game. We were also ruthless in attack and it showed that by scoring five.

“We managed to get our wide players on the ball and get some dangerous crosses in the box, whether it was our wingers or fullbacks. We didn’t do this in the previous games and that’s why we only score one goal I the first three fixtures.

“I also told my midfielders to arrive into the box to add that extra man, and it paid dividends.”

Campion are also in FA Cup action. After winning their first ever game in the competition a fortnight ago, they will be taking on Prescot Cables away from home.

Liversedge and Brighouse Town enter the competition at this stage. 

The former will be hosting Knaresborough Town, with the latter at Shildon.

In the NCEL Premier Division Albion Sports and Silsden are at Athersley Recreation and Penistone Church respectively, while Thackley host Garforth Town.

In the NWCFL First Division North, Steeton welcome St Helens Town to Marley.