HOOK Norton manager Joe Davies believes his side are capable of pulling off one of the biggest shocks in this season’s Emirates FA Cup when they host Weston-super-Mare in the second qualifying round on Saturday, writes Matthew Bruce.

Davies’s side have already come through three gruelling rounds to reach this stage.

They eased past Frimley Green in the extra-preliminary round, before overcoming higher-league opposition in the form of Southern League side Burnham and then Eastbourne United Association, who play in the Southern Combination.

Their reward is a mouthwatering home tie against Weston-super-Mare of the National League South – four levels above their hosts.

“We’re certainly not denying the enormity of the task,” said Davies.

“If we give everything and leave it all out on the pitch then I can’t ask for anything more.

“I think you generally find, in the FA Cup especially, that the team who wants it more will get the result, regardless of what level they’re at.”

Having never won an FA Cup match before this season, Hook Norton certainly wanted it and their run has now taken them into previously uncharted territory.

Davies said: “Certainly for most of the players, they’ve never been on a run like this in the cup. I know I haven’t.

“It’s really big for us. Any cup run would be, but the FA Cup is just that little bit more special.

“For a team no one knows about to have come this far is massive.

“It’s been a great run and I’m not quite ready for it to be over.”

North Leigh manager Mark Gee, whose side are at home to Slimbridge on Saturday in the same competition, said it’s proof that local football is in strong health.

“It’s nice to see a strong local presence at this stage of the competition,” said Gee.

“There’s obviously no Witney Town any more and Carterton aren’t as strong as they used to be, so it’s left us with not as many sides at senior level.

“But the players are still out there and they’ve got to go somewhere, because there’s plenty of footballing talent here.

“The FA Cup just provides an opportunity for clubs like Hook Norton or ourselves to make a statement.”