FA Cup

Didcot Town will be looking for revenge when they travel to face Paulton Rovers in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

The teams met at the same stage of last year’s competition at Loop Meadow, where the visitors from the Zamaretto Southern League Division 1 South & West recorded a 2-0 victory This was a prelude to Paulton eventually reaching the first round and a live TV appearance on Sky Sports against Norwich City, who won 7-0.

For Didcot there is also the chance of making history.

They have never reached the third qualifying round, and with £4,500 cheque awaiting the winners, there is plenty at stake.

Didcot boss Stuart Peace said: “The fact we played them last year and didn’t give a good account of ourselves adds extra spice this year.

“There’s not going to be much in the game. We’ve done our homework on them. We talked about our plans at training.

“Paulton have the experience of last year’s cup run. The first round is a real target for us. Last year, Paulton had a great run, but I believe there’s a lot of fate involved.

“If we can get through this round, maybe we can start thinking it’s our year.”

The only doubt is Michael Alexis, who has a hip problem.

Peace added: “We will have to be on our game, but if we do our bit right, hopefully it will be enough on the day.

“And if we have to bring tham back to Didcot for a replay, we will accept that too.

“There are always heroes and zeroes in the FA Cup. Hopefully we’ll have some heroes tomorrow.”

Old Woodstock Town boss Simon Lenagan says his young team are enjoying the limelight that their FA Cup run has brought, as he prepares his side for a trip to Wessex League side Hamble.

Woodstock are appearing in the competition for the first time, and have already won through three rounds, earning them more than £5,000 in prize money.

And they can add another £4,500 to the coffers if they overcome Hamble.

Lenagan said: “We’re going well at the moment. I have a young team and everything’s coming together nicely.

“I don’t know a lot about Hamble, but I know that they have experience up front.

“It looks like we are two evenly-matched teams, and we’re just enjoying the adventure.”

Kyle McCoy (knee) is ruled out, while Luke Ingram (back) and Matt Willett (knee) face fitness tests.

Thame United travel to Wessex League leaders Poole Town.

The Dorset club have not lost a game this season, but Thame boss Mark West, who will be without the unavailable Stuart Barr is unconcerned.

He said: “Poole will be favourites as the home side, but they are playing at the same level as us, so we certainly have a chance.

“We’ve beaten Thatcham from a higher league, so we have no fear. Poole will be decent, but won’t be any better than some of the top sides in our league.”

TOMORROW'S FA CUP LINE-UPS

Didcot Tn (v Paulton Rov, away): Buckner, Warrell, A Williams, Gunn, Stanley, M Williams, Dutton-Black, Heapy, Huggins, Draycott, Osbourne-Ricketts, Bartley, Mortimer-Jones, Alexis, Hopkins, Jones, Witt, Longford.

Old Woodstock Tn (v Hamble Assc, away): from Smith, Willett, Bonner, Thomas, Roberts, Brandish, Doyle, Bowles, Denton, Dunmall, Forbes, Ingram, Booker, Brooks.

Thame Utd (v Poole Tn, away): from Barisic, Newell, A Rhodes, Brown, Saulsbury, Connolly, N Rhodes, Brawn, Ricketts, Rogers, Stewart, Jones, Stallwood, Searl.