STEVE Housham, manager at North Ferriby United, is hopeful that an FA Cup victory against 1874 Northwich on Sunday can turn around his side’s fortunes.

The Villagers travel south grateful for a distraction from a disastrous start to the season in National League North.

A 6-0 defeat at home to Spennymoor in midweek is their eighth in 11 games, and leaves them bottom of the table.

“A win could kick-start our campaign and give us some confidence,” Housham told his club’s official website.

“However there has to be significant improvement on our performance [on Tuesday].

“It’s important we’re strong because games like this are a real ‘banana skin’.

“Northwich are a new club, and we’ll likely be the highest-ranked club they’ve played in a competitive game.

“They’ll be up for it, and will give everything.”

North Ferriby have been eliminated from the FA Cup on the pitch of a lower-ranked opponent in the recent past.

They went down 1-0 at Warrington three years ago, and also lost 2-1 at Ossett Albion in 2012.

Stocksbridge also sent them packing from the FA Trophy the season before last.

However none of those foes played three levels lower.