WEYMOUTH manager Bobby Wilkinson is intent on piecing together another long run in the FA Cup this season.

Wilkinson’s men tomorrow travel to Step 5 side Highworth Town looking to emulate or exceed last season’s mark of reaching the first-round proper.

They must first negotiate a second qualifying round tie in which they will be overwhelming favourites, with 56 places in the football pyramid separating the sides.

And a measure of Wilkinson’s laser-like focus is the fact he watched the Worthians’ reserves this week to experience first hand the pitch conditions and facilities at The Save On Tyres Stadium.

He told Echosport: “I would love to beat what we did last year, because it was special times especially in a difficult period for the club.

READ MORE: Norman Wabo departs Weymouth by mutual consent

“I absolutely loved our FA Cup journey, it got me through some dark days last year and to win so much money and clear a lot of debt was brilliant for everyone at the club.

“We had them watched on Saturday and then I travelled there on Wednesday to watch a reserve-team game.

“I checked the pitch, the surroundings, to know what we’re going into. It’s a nice pitch but on a really big slope, which will be challenging.

“I can let the boys know, we’ll take it really serious. We should be favourites but I always ask for a cup game where we’ve got a chance of winning.

“The draw has given us a chance, so let’s bring it on.”

Wilkinson also put any suggestions of resting key players to bed, adding: “I’m going full-strength.

“There’s no mucking around, it’s brilliant for the club and for us and it carries on the momentum from last week. I don’t want to start tinkering.

“It’s memories, history if you can get to the first round. My challenge is that I’d love to get to the second round this year.

“The FA Cup is always luck of the draw. We’re favourites to win but how many times do you see the giant-killers each year?

“We’ve got to make sure it’s not us. The boys know how important it is to the club, the board, the fans and everyone’s ready.”

Echosport understands Weymouth have secured forward Ezio Touray on a contract until the end of the season following his brace at Dover.

However, striker Norman Wabo has departed to make way and Wilkinson paid tribute to him.

He said: “I want to wish Norman all the best, Norman’s been brilliant but it had to be one in, one out, the way we have to do it with finance.

“When I had the opportunity to put Ezio on a contract, I couldn’t say no.

“Norman’s been brilliant to work with but I wanted a little bit more pace and something different again.

“Norman’s been a credit, he left on great terms and he just wants to play 90-minute games.

“He understands I can’t give him that. He’s been a pleasure to work with. Being honest as well, the travelling was so far for him.”

Tom Bearwish (suspension) is Weymouth’s only absentee.

Winners at this stage will pocket £3,375 with the losers taking home £1,125.