Banbury United boss Billy Jeffrey is looking to repeat his success in the competition as a manager when he takes his side to Ryman League Division 1 South high-fliers Godalming Town in Saturday's second qualifying round.
Jeffrey was boss of Stamford in 2005 when they went on a brilliant run, reaching the fifth round before losing out to Exeter City.
“We had a terrific game against them at home – we had a crowd of over 1,000,” said Jeffrey, whose side are unbeaten in their last eight league and cup games.
“We were unlucky not to win it. I was thinking ‘how are we going to get down to Exeter for the replay?’ and they scored the winner in the 92 minute.
“The Trophy is an important competition for a club like Banbury, from a financial point of view and it creates interest for the fans.
“We have had Godalming watched and they are a good side, so it will be tough.
“It was good to keep the run going at Didcot on Tuesday, I thought our second half performance was excellent.”
Banbury have injury doubts over defender Ben Milner (flu) and striker Howard Forinton, who suffered an ankle knock against Didcot.
Oxford City give a late fitness test to Steve Davis when they travel to Arlesey.
The defender was stretch-ered off with a knee injury during Tuesday’s 4-0 League Cup defeat against Chippenham, City first loss in 13 games.
They are already without first-choice keeper Richard Knight who injured a thigh in last weekend’s FA Cup win against Bury Town, which set-up a first-round trip to Burton Albion.
“Enjoy your victories, but you have to move on quickly,” said boss Mike Ford, who is determined his players won’t be distracted by the Cup.
“You can’t afford to dwell on anything in football, because if you do then you will get a kick up the backside and that would be in the form of a defeat.
“It’s not a case of keeping one eye on the Trophy and one eye on the Cup, we will have both eyes on the Trophy game – and I will be making the players aware of that. It’s another big weekend and the players need to produce again.
“It was disappointing to lose Tuesday, but there were a number of positives. Michael Lyon (his first start since breaking a leg in pre-season) played 75 minutes and did well. He is still a bit away, so he will play for Nomads.”
It’s the biggest game between the two clubs since the FA Vase final of 1995 when City lost 2-1 against Arlesey.
Tomorrow’s squads Oxford City (v Arlesey, away): from Barisic, Ballard, Clarke, Baird, Perpetuini, Janes, Pond, Savage, Steele, Bell, Brooks, Alexis, Gunn, Morris.
Banbury Utd (v Godalming, away): from Murrell, Redknap, Martin, Milner, Learoyd, Haisley, Coleman, Benjamin, Forinton, Taylor, Ashton, Stanbridge, Stringfellow, Livous, Foster.
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