SALISBURY FC will embark on their FA Cup journey for the first time on Saturday when they host Bitton AFC in the preliminary round.

Whites, fresh from thumping Bishops Cleeve 4-1 on Tuesday night, take on the Toolstation Western Premier outfit for a place in the first qualifying round.

The Bristol-based visitors sit second from bottom in the league after losing their opening two games.

But they've had more success in the Cup after defeating Welton Rovers 2-0 in the extra preliminary round.

For Salisbury, they are making their first appearance in the famous cup competition as they were ineligible to enter last year due to being a phoenix club, like league rivals Hereford, a side they face in the Trophy in October.

"It's another big game for us and we want to do well in the cup competitions," said manager Steve Claridge.

"We've got another home draw if we do beat Bitton against Frome, which will be another fantastic game.

"I think what I'm going to do is concentrate on the Cup and forget about the league this year," he laughed, "but seriously it's there for us isn't it.

"Potentially four home games in the cups. This is a difficult one but we've got to be right.

"We want the 140 [fans] who didn't come on Tuesday to come back."

Kane O'Keefe made his long-awaited return from injury on Tuesday but Claridge still remains searching a wide left player.

He says he's approached a few players but has been outbid.

Claridge added: "We've shoehorned Brandon Mundy into that position because we just haven't got anyone with a left foot - we're trying to make do.

"We've had our eye on loads of people but have been outbid.

"If you want to go and pay silly money then you can get the players in so people have got to be patient and losing a couple of games isn't the end of the world. I want value for money."

Elsewhere, Bemerton Heath Harlequins face Amesbury Town, who have lost defender Adam Pearson to AFC Totton, at Bonnymead Park. The winner will travel to Basingstoke Town and the winner of Salisbury and Bitton will host Southern Premier Division side Frome Town on Saturday, September 3.