Aldershot Town v Braintree Town

The FA Carlsberg Trophy

Third Round Proper

Aldershot Town manager Gary Waddock believes his Conference Premier table-toppers can beat Braintree Town in The FA Trophy this weekend.

"We are having a marvellous season and when you're top of the league it definitely breeds confidence. If the lads play the way I know they can, we should win on Saturday," he said.

Waddock will have to cope without Spanish striker Jonny Dixon, who joined League One Brighton for £56,000 on Wednesday.

He said: "Jonny was a talented player so it's a blow we've lost him. He was very popular at the club and he deserves his chance at Brighton."

Braintree's defence will have to be alert if they are to stop Aldershot's leading striker John Grant. And manager Lee Patterson has encouraged his back four to emulate their exploits in the 1-0 Conference South win at Maidenhead United last Saturday.

"Our defenders have a never-say-die attitude and will have to earn their crust again in The Trophy," he said.

Patterson's Braintree are mid-table in the Conference South but he believes league form will count for nothing on Saturday.

He said: "Anything can happen in The Trophy and we are looking forward to the challenge. We want to get the ball down and play and hopefully we can entertain our fans."

After a seven-hour trip up to Workington in the last round, Patterson believes they can also compete away at table-topping Aldershot.

"It was magnificent to beat Workington after such a long journey," he said. "Hopefully the players can draw upon this experience and give it a real go."

The winner of the tie will collect £6000 in prize money

Source: thefa.com