Boss Ford urges Oxford City to be positive in the FA Cup

Oxford City boss Mike Ford has urged his side to seize their opportunity to make the second round of the FA Cup when they play Redbridge on Saturday.

City travel to Redbridge in the first round and Ford sees it as a great opportunity to progress further.

"Both will see it as a winnable game and a chance to get into the second round," he told BBC Radio Oxford.

"I want us to go there galvanised and looking forward to the challenge and I'm sure we will give our best."

Fellow non-league side Redbridge was not the glamour tie City had hoped for but nonetheless Ford sees the merits of the tie.

He knows all about the FA Cup as he once missed a penalty against Glenn Hoddle's Chelsea when his side, Oxford United, were trailing 2-1 and needed an equaliser to force a replay at Stamford Bridge.

"We wanted Oxford United or Swindon but we got Redbridge," he said.

"For both teams it is a chance to get into the next round and then of course you are one game away from Anfield or Old Trafford for example."

The Southern League Premier Division side are on a fantastic run and Ford has urged it to continue.

"I think this year we've had a really tough run but we have overcome all of those obstacles and we have another one on Saturday," he added.

"They are a team from below who have beaten a lot of sides in the pyramid from above and they will want to keep that going.

"It will be a really tough game but I am confident my players will rise to the occasion and will produce a performance worthy of an FA Cup tie.

"I'm not going to guarantee we win because you cannot do that, but I can guarantee a good performance.

"It's a massive, massive opportunity and I don't want my players to be scared of it on Saturday."