"It's just about having that belief" - Amari Morgan-Smith on his former club Cheltenham, the magic of the FA Cup and Town's chances on Saturday

The Shaymen visit the League Two promotion contenders this weekend, aiming to reach the second round for the first time in four years, when Morgan-Smith scored for Kidderminster in their 2-0 win against Halifax.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we put on a show and show what we're about," said the striker, who counts Cheltenham among his former clubs.

"Obviously we have to respect the opposition because they're in the league above and they're doing well.

"But if we're at our best, we're a match for anyone on our day.

"I'll do my best in terms of rallying the troops. I've been fortunate enough to be on a few FA Cup runs, been to the fourth round with Kiddy.

"If you can give the best account of yourself on the day, the level balances out a bit, stay in the game as long as you can but also test them as well as you can.

"Hopefully we take the form we've been showing recently in the game and try to get a result."

Morgan-Smith and Kidderminster went on to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup in 2022, when they lost to West Ham.

"We conceded in the 90th minute to Declan Rice, who came off the bench to equalise, and then Jarrod Bowen scored the winner," said Morgan-Smith.

"Whenever anyone asks the best player I played against, Rice is probably the one I'd say."

Morgan-Smith also reached the fourth round with Kidderminster in 2014, when they lost 1-0 away to Sunderland.

"This is what the FA Cup can do," he said. "I've said to the lads I hope we can have a real good FA Cup run because it's special, it's a special competition and you get chances to play against some top opposition, showcase your talent, showcase what you can do.

"It's just about having that belief and not being frightened of anyone you come up against.

"The gaffer's assembled a really good squad, he's coached us really well and I'm sure he'd want to have a really good FA Cup run as well and try to be in all the competitions as long as we can."

Morgan-Smith won promotion from the National League in 2016 at Cheltenham, with one of his five goals that season coming in their 7-1 win at The Shay.

"I had a good time there, Gary Johnson assembled a new squad there," he said.

"Having been relegated the season before, we had to try and bounce back to the Football League straight away, that was our objective, and we did that.

"We ended up winning the league and got over 100 points.

"I had a nasty injury, probably one of my worst, that season and was out for four, five months with an ankle injury.

"It was one of the best squads I've been in in terms of characters. The gaffer did everything well in terms of due diligence and what kind of players he was bringing in, and it worked."

Morgan-Smith added: "They're doing well in the league at the minute so it won't be an easy tie by any stretch of the imagination.

"But we're in good form, so I think it'll be a good, interesting game.

"It'll be nice for me to go back there and get back on that surface, I'm looking forward to it."

Morgan-Smith also won promotion last season with Kidderminster, before his six-year, second spell with the club came to an end.

"They wanted to go a different direction, I don't know if they thought they could maybe get someone younger," he said.

"I was a bit surprised, having got promoted as captain, but I've played with Pabs (Pablo Mills) and I knew John (McGrath) from playing, and I like their style of play and their fundamentals of how they want to play football.

"I was delighted to get on board and I've enjoyed every moment.

"At my age I'm still hungry for the game. The one thing you want to do is try and enjoy it every day because it's a short career.

"I like to try and train and play every day as if it's my last."

The 37-year-old forward has carried that attitude into his performances, displaying the energy and enthusiasm of someone 20 years younger.

"That's been part and parcel of my game throughout, I just have that mindset and mentality of leaving it all out there, leaving no stone unturned," he said.

"That's one thing I wouldn't want anyone to question me on, is how hard I work.

"That's something I leave and breathe by, is my work ethic. Adam Murray, my manager last season, said I probably work too hard, so when it comes to having a chance, you end up being tired, so I took a leaf out of that and try to balance it now.

"But I always try and help and I think the gaffer's used me as an example at times of closing down and pressing, you do it properly, because if I can do, then the other lads can as well, being 37.

"And I don't think any of the lads have been culpable of not working hard, we've all looked fit and hungry, we get stronger in the second-half of games."

As the oldest member of the squad, Morgan-Smith says he is happy to act as a guiding influence on his younger team-mates.

"If he (John McGrath) needs to lean on me, to try and sort the young lads out in a good or bad way, then I'll try and do that, whether it's driving standards or getting that winning mentality.

"It's just having the awareness and being a helping hand, sometimes it goes without saying and the gaffer might not need me to do anything, and I'll just try and help in the changing room, because the gaffer can't see everything.

"So if I can be his second pair of eyes and help out with anything, I'll do that."

Morgan-Smith says he has enjoyed his time at The Shay so far.

"Would I have liked to play more? Probably, yes, but I understand my role and if called upon, I'm ready to pounce," he said.

"The front players have done well to be fair, everyone's chipping in with goals and assists.

"It's very good competition for places and I'm sure that's what the gaffer would want.

"There's good morale in the squad, there's no sulkers or big egos. Everyone can chip in and when called upon, they have to produce, and that's a very good recipe for a club that wants to go and do something.

"Our away form hasn't been as good as we'd have liked but we're starting to get to the nitty gritty of playing away from home.

"At home we're very, very good. It's playing out nicely, I don't think we should be scared of anyone in the league.

"Boreham Wood are the outstanding team at the minute but I don't think there's anyone else we should be scared of.

"We're going about our work nice and quietly and not making too much hype in terms of being too high when we win or too low when we lose, and making sure we can react when we lose and bounce back, like we did on Saturday against Yeovil. I thought we were outstanding.

"We know how good we are. I think if we carry on this form, we'll be right in the mix come the end of the season."

But for now, the focus is on Saturday, and a return to familiar territory for Morgan-Smith.

How would he feel about scoring the winner this weekend?

"That would be good!," he said.

"As a striker, you're always thinking about your next chance and if one comes your way, being calm, cool and collected.

"That's your job, you've got to be in and around the box to sniff out chances and if it does fall to me, then I'll be delighted to do that.

"Will I celebrate? Probably.

"It's all about getting into the next round. I'll be raring to go."