FAIRFORD manager Mark Webb has told his troops not to expect an easy route to the Norman Matthews Cup Final.

The Cinder Lane side entertain Hellenic League strugglers Gloucester United in the first leg of the semi-final tonight the team they thrashed 6-0 back in August.

But Webb is warning against complacency following the appointment of former Wales and Wimbledon boss Bobby Gould as Gloucester's new manager.

United are bottom of the Premier Division with just two wins to their name, but their form has improved since Gould's arrival and narrow victories over Ardley, Witney and Wantage have inched them towards potential cup glory.

"We should be wary of them," said Webb. "It's a game in which we could easily come unstuck.

"Bobby Gould has taken charge and they are an entirely different proposition to the team we put six past at the start of the season.

"It's a midweek game too and they have other players available to them during the week. I understand Bobby drafts a few youngsters in from his old club Cheltenham."

Webb will be without Simon Gregory who is still recovering from the neck injury which forced Fairford's recent clash with Henley to be abandoned.

Gareth Davies is also unavailable due to suspension.

In the other semi-final this evening, Slimbridge travel to Bishops Cleeve.

STEVE WHITE is hoping to collect his first clean sheet as Chippenham boss when the Bluebirds travel to Newport County in the third round of the Dr Martens Cup.

White's side have conceded in each of the eight games since he took charge at the end of November, prompting him to use Ian Herring as a third central defender against Nuneaton on Saturday.

The ploy worked until Chippenham shipped an 88th-minute equaliser and White is set to keep faith in the formation in Wales.

Scott Walker should reclaim his place on the left flank at the expense of Wayne Thorne, who aggravated an ankle injury at the weekend.

The winners of the tie face a trip to Tiverton in the next round.