BOSS Ollie Cherrett believes Christchurch will be underdogs for their FA Vase third-round clash with Newport at Hurn Bridge on Saturday.

Priory have already experienced a rollercoaster ride in the competition.

They were given a reprieve in the second qualifying round due to Western League Division One Westbury exceeding the permitted number of substitutes.

And after winning the replayed fixture, triumphs against US Portsmouth and Fareham Town paved the way for a meeting with the Islanders (3pm).

Victory over their Sydenhams Wessex Premier opponents would see Priory reach the fourth round for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

Newport are currently 20th in their division, while Christchurch are second in Wessex One.

But Cherrett insisted Priory had “nothing to fear” against their higher-level opponents at the MA Hart Stadium.

He told the Daily Echo: “We will go into it, probably quite rightly, as underdogs, but the excitement is there.

“Hopefully, we can put together another good performance and get a good result to add to the ones we have already had.

“It will be a challenge against Newport. The league table says they are down at the bottom and are struggling but they have had a change of manager and have picked up some good results.

“On paper, they are probably slight favourites but we will go into it with the right attitude and have nothing to lose.

“We have had a great run and have nothing to fear.”

Grant Cormack will miss the tie through suspension but Priory are set to welcome back Jordan Cole.

Cherrett is hoping Richard Jackson will be fit to feature, while striker Luke Stone is likely to miss out through illness.

The manager added: “The players are looking forward to it and, as a management group, we are as well.

“For the players, and myself as a manager, you want to do well in these competitions and it gives everyone the opportunity to stand out.

“The excitement for myself and the players is the fact you want to keep testing yourself and pushing yourself as hard as you can.”

Victory would see Christchurch pocket £1,125 in prize money.