MANAGER Les Jones is hoping Malvern Town can conjure a piece of FA Cup magic when they host Rocester in the extra preliminary round tomorrow (3pm).

Malvern’s Midland League Premier Division opponents will be “big favourites” to progress, according to Jones.

However, he believes an upset could be on the cards in front of what they hope will be a bumper crowd at the HDanywhere Community Stadium.

And the “excited” Town boss has urged his players to make their mark in the historic competition.

“Realistically, we are not going to win the FA Cup but we want to go on a good run and that’ll be the same with the FA Vase,” Jones said.

“I am really looking forward to the game as we will get to test ourselves against a team like Rocester.

“They finished mid-table in the league above last season so, to put it into perspective, they finished about 20 places higher than us, which makes them big favourites. We have got home advantage, though, and as they say, anything can happen in the cup.

“If you score tomorrow, you will be part of FA Cup history and that’s the premier cup competition in the country.

“We want a big crowd there to help spur us on.”

Harry Wickett (illness), Nathan Hughes (head injury) and Adam Sauntson (knee) are all doubts, while Chris Parker is unavailable.

But Jones, who is set to welcome back striker Bryan Craven after a problem with his troubled knee, said it was going to be tough to pick a team due to the amount of players vying for a starting shirt.

“I have got some very difficult selection problems as I have got a really good squad who are playing really well,” he said.

“All of them deserve to start but it is a long season and we have got to have that squad for the long haul.

“We had Rocester watched twice, so we are going to have to pick a team to combat their strengths and try to take advantage of their weaknesses.”

Jones, whose side finished third last season, says he also has one eye on Tuesday’s West Midlands League Premier Division opener at Smethwick (7.45pm).

“As long as we don’t get a replay against Rocester, Smethwick will be a massive game for us as well,” added Jones, who wants to challenge for promotion this season.

“Smethwick won the league cup last year and traditionally start really well, so we have got a difficult cup tie at home and then a really difficult league game away.

“Then the games will come thick and fast and that’s when we need the whole squad.

“Last year we finished with 10 straight league wins but also lost many early on, so it is absolutely essential we start better this year.”

Meanwhile, in the cup, Stourport Swifts host Westfields, Bromsgrove Sporting go to Heath Hayes and Alvechurch visit Haughmond.

Promoted Hereford FC kick off life in Southern League Division One South and West on the coast when they play Southampton side AFC Totton (3pm).

Redditch United start their Premier Division campaign against Chesham United at Stratford Town (3pm).

The game has been switched as work to add an artificial 3G pitch at Reds’ Valley Stadium home has been delayed.

Wellington head to Ellesmere Rangers in the West Midlands League Premier Division, while Pegasus Juniors entertain Willenhall Town and Bewdley Town play at Shifnal.