FA Cup

Oxford City manager Justin Merritt is hoping for a change in fortune as he takes his struggling side to Southern League Division 1 South & West outfit Bracknell Town in the first qualifying round tomorrow.

City have struggled after their step up to the Premier Division, and Merritt believes the FA Cup will give his players an opportunity to turn things around.

He said: "There's no getting away from the fact that the level has been raised and we're struggling to find our feet in the Premier Division.

"There have been some good signs in patches – we played some good stuff against Halesowen – so it's not all doom and gloom.

"The FA Cup is important for the club and for the players, but Bracknell away is a potential banana skin.

"They will be very competitive and direct, and the surface there is not great. We've had them watched, and they do have some matchwinners.

"But if we are at our best, I hope we can win the game at the first attempt."

Darren Pond (hip) is doubtful, while Steve Davis is unavailable.

Lee Rendell is drafted into the squad.

North Leigh boss Mark Gee says the pressure is off as his team host Chesham United at Eynsham Park.

Gee has been delighted with the start his side has made in their debut Southern League season, but believes that neither North Leigh or Chesham will be favourites for the cup clash.

He said: "We both play at the same level so it'll be a tough one to call.

"I don't know a lot about Chesham, although we've had a report on their striker, Danny Burnell, who has scored a lot of goals already."

Gee has a fully-fit squad to choose from, although new signing Liam Hope is cup-tied.

Didcot Town boss Stuart Peace has warned his team to be on their guard as they travel to Hellenic League outfit Shortwood United.

The Gloucestershire side had a magnificent run in last season's competition, only bowing out in the third qualifying round against Blue Square South side Maidenhead, having taken Southern League scalps in Tiverton Town and Gloucester City.

And Peace, who has a full-strength squad, said: "Shortwood have always been a decent side.

"They are an established Hellenic League club and had a great run in the cup last year.

"But our confidence is pretty high, and a cup run is important for the finances of clubs at our level."

Matt Bicknell is the only slight doubt, as he has been suffering from illness during the week.

Banbury United travel to Chippenham Town with doubts remaining over Mark Essex (foot) and Nicky Gordon (hamstring).

TOMORROW'S LINE-UPS

Oxford City (v Bracknell Tn, away): Harrison, Saulsbury, Gunn, Avery, Allaway, Weedon, Malone, Redknap, Falconbridge, Rendell, Gardner, Bell, Lyon, Romeo, Baird.

North Leigh (v Chesham Utd, home): from Barrett, Helby, Huxley, Dodds, Reardon, Cooper, McCabe, Burnell, Futcher, Allen, Simms, Threlfall, Jackson, Dennis, Hutter, Herbert.

Didcot Tn (v Shortwood Utd, away): from Watkins, Heapy, Williams, Brown, Bicknell, Powell, Howell, King, Jack, Bartley, Roach, Vine, Mortimer-Jones, Witt, Hopkins, Buckner.

Banbury Utd (v Chippenham Tn, away): from Murrell, Stringfellow, Kinch, Bennett, Milner, Abassi, Travers, Stanbridge, Breward, Pearman, Howkins, St Bridges, Bryan, Taylor, Peppiatt, Fitton.