HARWICH and Parkeston manager Kieron Shelley is expecting a positive reaction from his players as they strike for FA Cup glory.

The Shrimpers were below-par in last week's Thurlow Nunn League fixture at White Ensign, sliding to a 3-1 defeat.

They will now hope to bounce back when BetVictor Isthmian League division north side Romford pay a visit in the FA Cup.

The sides are set to meet in a preliminary-round tie at the Gwinnell & Sons Royal Oak tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 3pm).

"It's a massive game for our club and if we could cause an upset, it would be something to be really proud of," said Shelley.

"We're expecting Romford to have a bit more quality than Ilford (who Harwich beat 2-1 in the extra preliminary round on August 10).

"It's very exciting and hopefully what happened last weekend will work to our advantage.

"I came away thinking I can't wait for next Saturday.

"You want that winning feeling again and I'm sure the players would say exactly the same thing.

"We'll put what happened last week to bed and are remaining positive.

"I'd like to think the town will get behind us and get involved. It's a big day for the club."

Romford will also be keen to get back to winning ways.

Shelley and assistant boss Mike Wallace were in the crowd as tomorrow's opponents lost 6-0 at Basildon United, on Tuesday night.

As for his own side's poor performance last weekend, the Shrimpers boss said: "It was a bit of a wake-up call.

"Credit to White Ensign. They've recruited well and are a very good side.

"But we weren't at the races.

"Three or four of our boys had an off-day and when that happens, you tend to get punished.

"We could have been out of sight by half-time, were it not for (goalkeeper) Sam Felgate.

"It was poor but I wasn't overly disappointed, because these things happen.

"Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and accept you were beaten by the better side.

"Ensign wanted it a bit more than us and it was difficult for us to get going, because they were that good.

"We were outplayed but we're not going to beat ourselves up over it.

"Instead, we'll learn from it and move on."

Jordan Heath scored Harwich's consolation goal at Ensign.