Part-time Seagulls 'can't wait' for 'winnable' tie

Will Dawes has helped Weston-super-Mare move second in the National League South and win their past six home games in all competitions

Weston-super-Mare winger Will Dawes says the part-time side can go one better than last season when they host National League club Aldershot Town in the FA Cup first round.

Aiming for a first appearance in the second round since 2003-04, the Seagulls took Bristol Rovers - then a League One club - to extra time in round one last year.

Second in National League South after seven wins in 10 games this season, they will fancy their chances against a Shots side 19th in the division above, says Dawes.

"It's a really good draw - definitely winnable," the 25-year-old told BBC Radio Bristol. "I said we'd take anyone at home and I stand by that.

"We've played full-time teams this season and you can see they have a bit of an advantage with their extra hours on the training pitch, but we've managed to get results so we won't be frightened.

"We'll be respectful but we'll be going into that game thinking we can win and that we're going to do so.

"I'm sure the Seagull Army will be out in full force and I can't wait for it."

Weston-super-Mare are yet to concede at home across seven matches and more than 10 and a half hours in all competitions this season, including a 1-0 final qualifying round victory over seventh-tier Needham Market on Saturday in new boss Scott Rogers' first match in charge.

"Our home defensive record has been impeccable so far," said Dawes, speaking after players and fans watched the televised first round draw at the club's 3,500-capacity Optima Stadium.

"Hopefully, we can keep it intact between now and the [tie] and beyond.

"It should be a really good day for the club. Aldershot will bring a few fans, we'll have a lot of fans.

"I know a couple of people at Aldershot, so I've been messaging them. We're really excited.

"We were really close [last season against Rovers] - we'd have had a replay down at our place if we'd played the year before, but that's no longer the format.

"That will suit us this year, if it goes all the way. With our fans behind us, extra time and penalties will be an advantage."

Aldershot lifted last season's FA Trophy but have won just one of their past nine league matches, with manager Tommy Widdrington resigning on Monday after two-and-a-half years at the helm.