Jimmy Ball knows what a cup run can mean to a club. Last season, he guided AFC Totton to the FA Cup First Round Proper. Now he hopes to help Torquay United return to that stage for the first time since 2022.
“A really good cup run can set you up for years and really help a club kick on,” the United manager said. “It’s about filling up the coffers. It’s about security.”
For Ball, the prize is also the chance to keep dreaming of a televised tie against Premier League or EFL opposition.
“You’ve got to take your opportunities to get on the telly, play a Premier League club if you can, or a big League One or Championship club,” he said. “Let’s see if we can get ourselves on the telly.”
United are one win away from the First Round Proper, but standing in their way are an Oxford City side from riding high in the National League North and who Ball expects to take the game to United.
“I think it’ll be a real ding-dong FA Cup match,” he said. “I like the way they play. I like their attacking style. They want to control possession of the ball, and so do we.”
Ball has watched Oxford while scouting Isaac Westendorf and has studied their progress this season. He said they had started well, with momentum, confidence and goals, and does not expect them to sit back at Plainmoor.
United will have home advantage in what Ball described as another “big, exciting, full-house game”. He expects both teams to look for ways to disrupt the other’s possession and create chances on the counterattack.
Jake Wannell and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton remain doubts to start tomorrow, with a decision due before the match. Cody Cooke, who felt a dead leg during the Slough game, is fully fit.
United host Oxford City at Plainmoor tomorrow (Saturday) at 3pm. Adults’ tickets are £10 and under-18s’ tickets are £5. Plainmoor Passes do not cover this cup tie, so all supporters need to purchase an individual match ticket. Buy your tickets online here.
