FORMER Oxford City striker Jermaine McSporran has set his sights on gunning down his old club when they visit Wycombe Wanderers in the FA Cup first round on Saturday, October 30.

The 22-year-old hot-shot, who signed for Wycombe from City for an undisclosed sum - believed to be around £100,000 - last November, was told of the draw by Wycombe chairman Ivor Beeks as he got on the coach after Wanderers' 2-1 defeat at Notts County on Saturday.

"It's a turn-up for the books," admitted McSporran. "The chairman said to me 'Have you heard the news. We have got Oxford City' and I couldn't believe it."

Abingdon-based McSporran, who coincidentally went out with his former mentor, City manager Paul Lee, on Friday night for a Chinese meal, added: "We never thought it was going to happen. Paul was joking that they would be out to get me, so I have got to watch my ankles.

"They are going to go there and do their best, but the good thing is we are at home and hopefully the occasion will get on top of them.

"They are not the quickest in defence and hopefully we will capitalise on that. We should have it sewn up in the first half.

"They have gone through four qualifying rounds, so it is a great thing for them to end up with us in the draw, with the link with me. They have done marvellously to get there."

McSporran revealed that Wanderers boss Lawrie Sanchez had set him a target of ten goals by Christmas - and he is looking to boost his tally at the expense of his old club. "I am on six and if I get a couple against City it will do me a big favour," he said.

Meanwhile, City can expect a windfall of at least £20,000 from their dream draw.

The tie at Adams Park - which revives memories of the many post-war Boxing Day battles the clubs had during their halcyon non-League days - is expected to attract a crowd of over 5,000 and, with the two clubs sharing the gate receipts after expenses, it will considerably swell City's coffers.

"It's a great draw," exclaimed jubilant chairman Mick Woodley following City's 2-1 win over Salisbury City at Court Place Farm on Saturday.

"When Oxford United came out and we missed them there was a big groan, but when we came out against Wycombe the roof came off the clubhouse. Everyone was really bubbling."

And with one eye on another potential windfall, City chairman Mick Woodley said: "If we go there and get stuffed, I hope McSporran has a blinder with the rumours of him going for £1m, because we have a 20 per cent sell on."

Tickets go on general sale from next Monday at normal Football League prices.

Story date: Tuesday 19 October

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.