THERE'S a great opportunity for fans of Worcester City to cheer on Evesham United this weekend while also checking on the fortunes of several former old boys.

The Robins, skippered by Steve Lutz, take on Halesowen Town in the FA Cup third qualifying round (12.30pm) and, as Worcestershire's sole representatives, officials at the Southern League Division One Midlands club will be grateful of any additional support.

The St George's Lane tenants have struggled to attract more than 100 through the gate for league matches this season but United are hopeful that City fans with nothing to do on Saturday could help swell that crowd figure.

Halesowen are expected to bring a big following and should provide a tough test for Paul West's side.

Evesham will also include former City striker Mark Owen, who has scored in every round so far, in the starting 11, while the visitors have Dennis Pearce and Liam McDonald in their squad.

"It would be brilliant for the lads if there were a few more in the ground on Saturday," Owen admitted. "It's a local derby and Halesowen will bring a few. It's a winnable game for us and we are hoping to go one better than last season."

The striker's FA Cup memories with City go back to first round ties with Torquay United in 1998 and with Rushden and Diamonds three years later - a match he missed after breaking a leg.

"The competition's been good to me this season and chances have come my way more than in the league," Owen said. "It would be nice to carry on my sequence but it doesn't matter who scores as long as we win."

Owen, who is now the assistant youth development officer at the Worcester City Academy, has many happy memories of St George's Lane but is looking forward to the club moving to its new home.

"There was nothing better than a Monday night under the lights at St George's," Owen fondly recalled. "But clubs now have to move with the times and hopefully it will allow the club to move up another level."

Evesham have so far accounted for Gresley Rovers, Tipton Town, after a replay, and Quorn to get to this stage of the competition and a win on Saturday will see them equal their best ever progress in the FA Cup.

City defender Danny Hodnett could also be available to play for Evesham.