JORDAN Copp is in an optimistic mood ahead of Weymouth’s first tie of this season’s FA Trophy, as Wantage Town visit the Bob Lucas Stadium in the first qualifying round tomorrow (3pm).
Copp, who helped the Terras to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup earlier this month, is hopeful of a start with loanee Bradley Tarbuck believed to be unavailable for the clash.
With Wantage bottom of the Southern League South & West Division at present, a level below Weymouth, former Plymouth youngster Copp is hoping his side can take advantage of a favourable draw.
Speaking ahead of the game, he told Echosport: “We just have to make sure that we go into it as professionally as we can, get through, do things properly and treat them with the respect they deserve.
“I am sure that, if we do our jobs, we should win the game.”
The Terras go into the encounter as huge favourites against a side that have failed to win a single league game so far this season and lost their last league outing 7-1 to Shortwood United in midweek.
Wantage have only won two competitive games this term. Their last victory came in the previous round of the Trophy, where they got past Kidlington 3-2 away from home.
Copp is confident that, should Weymouth progress through a couple of rounds in the competition, some exciting ties could await.
He added: “The first couple of rounds you do well to get through and, the later you get in it, you start to get the bigger teams and the draws become more enjoyable.
“It would be nice to have a good run and make some more money for the club if we get through a few rounds.”
The Terras’ favourite is also hoping if he gets a chance to impress this weekend, he can nail down a regular place in the squad, having been left out of the 16-man party earlier this season.
“I was obviously really disappointed to be out of the squad,” he added.
“I didn’t overly think I massively deserved to be but it’s one of those things. You have to take it, accept it, work hard and get on with it.
“I am back in and around it but, with players coming back to fitness now, we have a big squad, so I have to make sure I am not the one missing out.”
