Mangotsfield United hope for FA Cup upset against Forest Green

FA Cup and Southern League previews:

Tony Court has more reason than most to ensure that Mangotsfield United beat Forest Green Rovers at the first time of asking when the sides clash in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup at Cossham Street.

Accepted wisdom is that United's best chance of causing a huge upset against a team three leagues above them will be in tomorrow's game if they can surprise Dave Hockaday's under-performing side, whose form and confidence cannot be too high.

For goalkeeper Court, however, there is a more practical reason why he wants the tie to be wrapped up without having to go to a replay as they did in previous games against Gillingham and Truro City.

"I work nights at a warehouse in Avonmouth and I was late for work when we played Truro City in a replay last week," said Court.

"I was supposed to start work at 11pm but I didn't leave Cossham Street until 10.45 – but the boss understood. He knew I wasn't trying it on – I told him to read the Post the next day if he wanted to make sure!"

That magical evening in front of more than 500 spectators at Cossham Street ended with Court making the vital saves in the penalty shoot-out to knock out the highly-fancied Cornish side and ensure Mangotsfield tomorrow's plum tie, which should see the biggest attendance at the ground for several years.

"Obviously, we are the underdogs again and it would be good to achieve another giant-killing," added Court. "The club is buzzing at the moment and the money that has been raised from the cup run has been brilliant.

"The atmosphere at the last match against Truro was superb and hopefully it will be similar on Saturday."

Forest Green have struggled this season and are third from bottom of the Blue Square Premier, but Mangotsfield manager Phil Bater won't be under-estimating them.

"With a striker like on-loan Bristol Rovers' player Sean Rigg up front, they will always be very dangerous," said Bater. "He is a real livewire and will be a big threat.

"We are massive underdogs, but if we play as well as we have been doing recently then we have a chance, although it is only a small one."

Experienced trio Geraint Bater, Mike Trought and Neil Arndale are all fit and Ryan Bennett will have a test on an ankle injury, but Danny Spill is suspended.

Paulton Rovers have an equally attractive home tie against Chippenham Town – and for former Bristol Rovers striker Robbie Claridge the stakes couldn't be higher.

Claridge has just started a new job in his boss Andrew Jones' wholesale flower business company, Flowervision, based in Feeder Road.

"Robbie knows the score – if he gets the winner it's a bonus, if not it could be his P45!" said Jones.

Joking apart, Jones knows that Paulton will never have a better chance of reaching the first round for the first time, even though the loss of Dan Cleverely with a broken foot is a major blow.

"I know Adie Mings (Chippenham boss) and he will have his lads spot-on, but, playing at home in front of a big crowd, this is our big chance," added Jones, whose side stunned Newport County in the last round.

"This is our one shot at it and the boys are really up for the challenge."

On-loan Bristol Rovers players, Neikell Plummer and James Tyrell, could be key figures after impressing in their initial two months with the club, which has been extended for another four weeks. New signing Matt Cooper, who made his debut in Monday's 1-1 draw against Yate Town after joining from Weymouth, is cup-tied.

● In the Southern League Premier Division, Clevedon Town take a full- squad to Cambridge City, with manager Nick Tucker still looking to strengthen his team. "We are making too many mistakes," he said.

Yate Town manager Dave Mogg, whose team are at home to Andover in the Midland & West Division, will give fitness tests to Jon McAlinden (groin) and Kyle Shallcross (knee) and must decide whether Lee Matthews should return in goal after Adam Growcott impressive recent form.