OXFORD United caretaker boss Jim Smith has warned his players that today's FA Trophy clash at Sudbury is the equivalent of the home team's final.The wily Bald Eagle brings his Oxford United side to King's Marsh stadium in the FA Trophy, first round, and he knows a lack-lustre effort from his Blue Square Premier team, could see them slip up.

Mike Bacon

OXFORD United caretaker boss Jim Smith has warned his players that today's FA Trophy clash at Sudbury is the equivalent of the home team's final.

The wily Bald Eagle brings his Oxford United side to King's Marsh stadium in the FA Trophy, first round, and he knows a lack-lustre effort from his Blue Square Premier team, could see them slip up.

Although Smith is just simply caretaking the manager's role for the time-being, after Darren Patterson was relieved of his duties two weeks ago, he is too experienced a man to take Sudbury, three rungs below the Blue Square Premier side in the non-league pyramid, lightly.

“The FA Trophy's always been an important competition,” he said.

“It gives us a serious chance of going to Wembley. That's how we see it and hopefully the players see it the same way.

“It could be a hard game if we make it a hard game. It'll be an easier game if we do our job properly.

“AFC Sudbury will be fired up for it, that's for sure. It's their final and we must be ready for them.”