BRIDPORT manager Rich Robson is hopeful the magic of the FA Cup can provide the Bees with an upset over well-backed Bitton on Saturday (3pm).

Bridport enter the competition at the extra preliminary round stage, having reached the first qualifying round last season where Tiverton Town received a fright before winning 1-0.

A much-changed Bridport face their Toolstation Western League Premier Division rivals Bitton, who feature a host of former Southern League players, including newly-signed former Dorchester striker Matt Groves.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Robson said non-League sides can “go as far as they push” in the event.

He said: “We’re hoping it’s going to be an incentive, it’s a very prestigious competition.

“Non-League sides can go as far as they push. Obviously Bridport had a good run last year and I’m hoping it will give some of our players a spring in their step (with it) being a new competition to them.

“We’ll definitely look to tap into that energy but in terms of overall performance we’re not going to rely on that energy. We’re going to do our research and make as good a gameplan as possible.”

Robson was present at Bitton’s 6-2 thrashing of Chipping Sodbury on Tuesday and is unfazed by the Ton’s reputation as big spenders at their level.

He said: “It doesn’t matter how much you spend on a player, it matters about the quality they bring to the pitch. “Obviously they’re going to have a lot of experience and some good players, but if we raise our game and start to show that bit of quality, anything can happen on the day – especially a cup game.“How often do you see a team like ours beat a team like Bitton in the FA Cup?”

Derek Wall (quad) returns while Lewis Clarke (calf) and Ryan Gall (groin) will be assessed but Joel Hewitt (unavailable) misses out.