Bitton boss: Pressure is on Mangotsfield

FA CUP PREVIEWS

Bitton boss John Lester insists his Toolstation League underdogs will have nothing to lose when they take on Southern League Mangotsfield in today's FA Cup preliminary round derby clash at Cossham Street.

In buoyant mood after brushing aside Bristol Manor Farm in the last round, Bitton's players sense an opportunity to pull off a giant-killing act.

Lester said: "All the pressure will be on Mangotsfield. They play in a higher league and their supporters and directors will be expecting them to win.

"My chairman is happy because we have already banked some money from the cup and my players can just enjoy the game and see what happens.

"This is a derby match and my players will definitely be up for it."

Although Bitton will be without Mitch Tippins, Matt Knapman and Keiron Williams, they will be motivated by the prospect of a showdown with Chippenham in the first qualifying round.

Mangotsfield boss Richard Thompson, meanwhile, has revealed that a potential FA Cup run has not been factored into the club's budget – because his record as a manager in the competition is so bad.

"The FA Cup and the additional finance it can bring is always important to clubs at this level," said Thompson.

"It can give you an extra bit of added flexibility in terms of your playing budget, but we've not factored it in to ours because, basically, my record in the competition is abysmal."

Toolstation League First Division minnows Hengrove will relish being underdogs when they take on Premier League Buckland in Devon.

Manager Jamie Hillman said: "Everyone will expect Buckland to win and it is up to us to try to prove them wrong. In the end, the most important thing is for us to give a good account of ourselves."

A cheque worth £1,700 awaits the winners and Hillman added: "That is major money for a club like us."

Hallen, from the Toolstation League Premier Division, will be up against it when they travel to Southern League Division One South & West side Swindon Supermarine.

Cadbury Heath manager Andy Black must plot a way past Almondsbury UWE without three key first-team players in their all-Toolstation League tie.

Nick Dyer, Chris Ashley and Craig Parsons are all sidelined through injury, but Danny Hallett may return to the squad.

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