The team from Somerset progressed into the fixture after emphatic wins against Bideford (5 - 2) and Royal Wootton Bassett (4 - 2) in the Preliminary Round and First Round Qualifying respectively.

Gosport Borough found their rhythm to get past Hamworthy in the previous stage of the competition, however had to wait until the home replay to do so after a goalless draw at the first attempt in Dorset.

John Rendell’s Paulton side have enjoyed a return to form in their latest league start, with a 5 - 2 victory over Cinderford Town in late August, and Boro’ boss Shaun Gale is quick to dismiss any speculation about underestimating the visitors:

“Paulton Rovers are a good side. We’ve got reports on them and it will be a tough game, but ultimately we’re at home and we need to play like we have done and if we do that, we will give ourselves a good opportunity. They want to get into the second round as much as we do I’m sure…I’m not going to underestimate Paulton by any stretch of the imagination, as I said, they’re a good team.

Our journey with the Emirates FA Cup ended at the Second Round Qualifying stage last season, and looking to surpass that mark this year, what do we need to do to ensure we go through to the next round, and what are the expectations in the competition?

“What we have to do is give ourselves a chance. If we play like we have done, at home especially, and how we played against Hamworthy in the second game, we will give ourselves a good chance.

“I don’t think you can have expectations in the FA Cup, what you can do is you can do your best as a non-league club and go as far as you can. I’ve experienced going a long long way, and it’s an amazing feeling - and I’ve experienced getting beat by a team a league lower, all you can do is prepare as we do every week.

“There’s no weird or wonderful way - it’s whoever you’re playing, you’ve got to prepare right, and you’ve got to do things right, and if we do turn up and play how we can, we give ourselves an opportunity to get to the next round.

“I don’t look any further than Saturday’s game, the most important thing is trying to be in the hat on Monday morning. And that’s what we’ll be trying to do.

The start to the season has been compromised by injuries and absences to key senior players for the first 4 league matches of the campaign, but slowly and surely Gale’s team is becoming stronger with more personnel returning to training and enjoying game time once again. With Tuesday evening’s match at Andover New Street in the Hampshire Senior Cup now behind us, a positive reflection can be taken from the fact that key players were able to rest in midweek in preparation for this Saturday.

“Rory Williams wasn’t involved, Andreas Robinson wasn’t involved, Harvey Rew wasn’t involved, Finn Walsh-Smith wasn’t involved, Harry Kavanagh only came on late, and Brendan Wilson also wasn’t involved. We’ve got an abundance of players who can come back and are available to us.

“As far as I’m aware, at this moment in time, I’ve got a fully fit squad apart from Billy Busari.

“Ryan Woodford played his first lot of minutes, it’s probably too much to ask Ryan at the moment [to start the game], but other than that, everyone else is available.

Boro’ will miss two key players due to suspension in Pat O’Flaherty between the sticks, and Pompey loanee Harry Jewitt-White.

Tickets to the match are still available online, and can also be purchased at the gate on the day. Please visit the link below to book your ticket in advance.

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There will be a minute's silence prior to kick-off, in order to pay respects to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

To those fans who can’t make it to the AEI Stadium this Saturday, you can follow our live coverage of the game over on our Official Twitter Account.

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