GENERAL manager Justin Merritt says he wants to create cup fever at Oxford City as they begin their FA Trophy campaign at home to Marlow tomorrow afternoon.

City take on the Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West outfit in the third qualifying round, looking to build on last year’s run.

Merritt’s side took Vanarama National League side Woking to a second round replay, only to be edged out 2-1.

And they are now looking to make similar progress this season, especially after seeing Vanarama National League North side North Ferriby United win the competition last year.

Merritt said: “It’s a tournament we want to do well in.

“We would like a really good run and go up against a Conference National team like we did last year.

“Woking was a good experience for our players.

“We are looking for a good run of results, to get a bit of cup fever and the players enjoying the competition.”

But first they must overcome a Marlow team placed two divisions lower than themselves and managed by Mark Bartley – a former teammate of Merritt at Thame United.

City, who head into the tie on the back of successive home defeats in Vanarama National League South, played out a 0-0 draw with the Buckinghamshire side in pre-season.

And while Merritt knows what to expect, he was keen to stress Marlow, who were beaten 1-0 by Wantage Town six days ago, will not be underestimated.

He said: “We will be taking it extremely seriously.

“I have known Mark a long time and they will give it their best attempt to cause an upset.

“It is always a tricky fixture and we have got to make sure we go about it in the right way.”

Captain Darren Pond misses out with an ankle injury picked up during last weekend’s defeat to Gosport Borough, while Mamadou Fofana is unavailable due to the terms of his loan deal from Barrow.

Bradley Bubb is set to partner Conor McDonagh up front after making his return from a hamstring injury as a second half substitute last weekend.

Ander Del Alamo and Lee Henderson are out with fractured and broken ankles respectively.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City: Walker, Arzamendi, Benjamin, Coulson, Santiago, King, Stonehouse, Lapoujade, Fleet, Lafuente, Isaac, Bubb, McDonagh, Sterling-James, Pifarre, Patterson, Awadh.