A TRIP to lower league opposition awaits Oxford City in the third qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup – if they can overcome Bath City at home in tonight’s second qualifying round replay.

Canvey Island, from the Ryman League Premier Division, or Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 Central’s Potters Bar Town, who also face a replay this evening, await the winners.

But City’s general manager, Justin Merritt, welcomed the draw with caution.

“When you get drawn against a lower league side it does give you a greater chance of progressing,” he said.

“But obviously we’ve gone out to lower league opposition twice in the last two years.

“Right now, we’re focused on getting through our replay, so we’re not thinking about the next round yet.”

James Roberts is City’s only absentee from the replay, as he serves the final match of his three-game ban following his red card when City travelled to Bath in Vanarama National League South two weeks ago.

Tonight’s ’s clash will be the third time the two sides have faced each other in the last two weeks, with City winning the first encounter 3-1 in the league before being held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

But Merritt believes that a change of personnel this evening could catch the visitors by surprise.

He said: “This group of players have had four tough games in quick succession and we might need to freshen it up a little bit.

“We’re going to set up slightly differently and hopefully that will allow us to capitalise on any opportunities.

“It’s always a risk making tactical changes in games like this, but they’re being made for a good reason.

“The players all know each other well by now. We’re confident we know how their strengths and weaknesses.

“I think, from what we’ve seen on both occasions, there won’t be an awful lot between the two sides.”

Meanwhile Banbury United will travel to National League South side Wealdstone in the third qualifying round following their 6-1 destruction of fellow Southern League Division 1 South & West side Cirencester Town.

North Leigh entertain Folkestone Invicta, of the Ryman League Premier Division, following their impressive 2-1 upset of Weston-Super-Mare.

TONIGHT’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Bath City, home): from Stevens, Grant, Poku, Ashby, Henderson, Cundy, Isaac, Fleet, Ofosu, Davies, Soares, Ngathe, Patterson, Winters, Giles, Fondop, MacAuley, Hunte, West.