WIMBORNE Town boss Matty Holmes wants his players to hit the ground running when they meet Thame United in the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy on Saturday (3pm).

Magpies paid a heavy price for a sluggish start when they conceded after just nine minutes during their 1-0 defeat at Paulton Rovers in Southern League West on Tuesday.

Wimborne set up a return trip to Oxfordshire by triumphing 3-1 at North Leigh in the preliminary round, while Thame claimed a 1-0 victory at Mangotsfield.

Currently 14th in Southern League East, Thame, who lost 3-1 to Magpies after two replays in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup in 1994, were promoted as Hellenic League champions.

Holmes told the Daily Echo: “We just need to start a bit quicker and, if we can impose our game on them, I see no reason why we can’t get something.

“They have had similar results to us this season – up and down – and any team in this stage must be respected having already won a game in the competition.

“It will be tough away from home but we have been playing really well on our travels, even in defeat at Paulton.

“We are desperate to have a good cup run and the boys will be fired up and really looking forward to it after losing in the week.”

Holmes is hoping to name a full-strength squad with first-choice goalkeeper Gerard Benfield, who was unavailable in midweek, vying for the shirt with recent signing Rhys Evans.

Magpies and Thame both banked £3,000 for their preliminary round wins and will duel for a purse of £3,250 at The ASM Stadium.

Magpies: (from) Evans, Maybury, Cole, Arnold, Oldring, Kellaway, Stokoe, L Holmes, T Holmes, Burbidge, Lovell, Bayston, Francis, Penny, Benfield.