Tonbridge Angels may average only 350-400 for home games in the Ryman Premier League, but the little Kent town are hoping to bring around 500 fans to tomorrow's FA Trophy tie at the Kassam Stadium.

And chairman Nick Sullivan is dreaming of causing an upset against the club that won the Milk Cup back in 1986.

"It's a reverse of our FA Cup game against Ware," enthused Sullivan.

"If we can hold them for the first half-an-hour then the crowd will start to get on their backs, and we could have a chance of causing an upset."

But manager Tommy Warrilow, who returned to his old club Horsham this week to snap up centre forward Carl Rook for £10,000, expects his team to be in for a tough match.

He said: "I've got two full scouting reports on them and we've been working on how to deal with their attacking threat in training.

"The main thing is that we relax and believe we are capable of going there and getting a result.

"We're on a hiding to nothing, but I'm confident that we have got a chance if we can carry on the way we have been playing."

He added: "It's a lovely stadium and pitch, so it's going to be a great day out for everyone at the club."

Rook made his debut for the Angels in their 2-2 draw with Billericay Town on Tuesday night, but he will be forced to watch from the stands because he is Trophy-tied.

There will not be a big crowd for the game - it's likely to be below 2,000 - but that will not bother Angels fans, who will just enjoy their big day out and the experience of watching from a great stadium.

"It's a real reward for our dedicated supporters," said Sullivan. "This has been a difficult season already, so to go and play at a place liked Oxford is a good way of paying them back.

"Tommy has brought so much to the club in so little time and his man-management of players has made a massive difference.

"He's so desperate to do well and he works extremely hard to be successful - let's hope the players can put on a good show."

Tonbridge right winger John Westcott is also cup-tied, having played for Horsham in an earlier round of the Trophy.

And new captain Ray Powell, a striker converted to right back, may need to play through the pain barrier after picking up an injury in midweek.

United's exit from the FA Cup means their home match against Altrincham in the Blue Square Premier on Saturday, January 5 - third round day - now goes ahead.

Tomorrow is by no means the first time Oxford United have played Tonbridge.

The two clubs used to be regular adversaries in their Southern League days in the 50s and 60s.

The last three contests at the Manor in 1959-60, 61-2 and 62-3 finished 4-1, 1-0 and 4-1 to United respectively, but United did lose 2-1 at Tonbridge in '59.

A NUMBER of United first-team players will be calling in on the Oxford United Juniors' Christmas party at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow lunchtime.

More than 100 Oxford juniors have already booked their place, as has Olly the Ox.