WEYMOUTH will look to create history by reaching the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in 13 seasons tomorrow (3pm).
Brian Stock’s men tackle Oxford City at the Bob Lucas Stadium with a place in Monday’s main draw (7.10pm) and £9,375 up for grabs.
Weymouth’s previous visit to the first round produced an emphatic 4-0 win at Eastbourne Borough in the 2007/08 campaign, with Stuart ‘Beaver’ Beavon netting a hat-trick.
The Terras went on to lose 1-0 at Cambridge United in the second round.
Weymouth have since made the fourth qualifying round five times – tomorrow excluded – but failed to reach the main draw on each occasion.
And Stock, who reached the fourth round three times as a player, will gee his squad up for the tie with the incentive of becoming history-makers.
“I’ll relay that to the lads,” he told Echosport. “Obviously it helps going into the latter stages having gained promotion to the National League. That’s a great incentive and one we’ll look to try and achieve.”
City have made a fast start to their Vanarama National League South campaign, sitting third, while Weymouth occupy 18th in the league above.
“A league separates us but I don’t think there’s much difference in terms of where we’re both at,” Stock said.
“We’re plying our trade in the National League but when you look at the start they had this season, their personnel, there’s not going to be a lot between the sides.
“Although on paper they are the underdogs, I firmly believe it’s going to be a very good game.”
On the lack of spectators, he added: “It would be nice to share it with the fans, that’s the beauty of the competition.
“Sometimes it can give home and away supporters a lift and they can almost be the swinging point in terms of upsets. They’ve got a history of making the competition special.”
Weymouth claimed their first win of the season by beating King’s Lynn 2-1 last time out and Stock is looking to harness the momentum from the victory.
He said: “Performance-wise I know we can be better but I challenged the boys of trying to get three points at all costs and they came up trumps.
“We’ve now ticked that box and can hopefully build momentum going into the FA Cup. We won’t take (City) lightly, they’re a good side.”
Terras’ captain Josh McQuoid, striker Ben Thomson, midfielder Jordan Ngalo and defender Ade Olumuyiwa all return after self-isolation.
Shamir Mullings (hamstring) and Jack Dickson miss out, while Cameron Murray (knee) will be assessed.
