Paulton aiming for Norwich upset

Jones is expecting a crowd of up to 3,000 for the Norwich match

Paulton Rovers manager Andy Jones says his Southern League side are relishing the chance to play League One Norwich City at home in the FA Cup first round.

Rovers got the go-ahead on Tuesday to host the Canaries at their 3,500-capacity Winterfield Road ground in a televised game on 7 November

"We'll he having a right go at it, Jones told BBC Radio Bristol.

"They won't fancy it. Hopefully, at the very minimum, we can get a replay and go back to Carrow Road."

Jones added: "Their changing room's going to be 10 times smaller than what they're used to."

"We need to get a couple of gates on the far side for emergency access to the pitch, a couple more temporary turnstiles to be put in and a temporary stand."

The Paulton players gathered together in the clubhouse at their Winterfield Road ground to watch the first round draw live.

"That was a brilliant feeling, sat there with all the boys and about 300/400 supporters as well. It was packed," said Jones.

"You sit there with mixed emotions and you really do hope. You hold your breath and then you get the cheers."

"It's a dream. As a non-league manager and player it's everything you could want."

Paulton have already beaten Bideford, Tiverton Town, Didcot, Newport County and Chippenham Town in their FA Cup run, while Norwich are yet to begin theirs.

It's a bit surreal really. It's not really sunk in

Paulton striker Rob Claridge

"We do deserve a good draw as we did beat four teams from leagues above us," added striker Rob Claridge, who scored the final goal in Saturday's 3-0 win.

"When we celebrated we charged like a herd of elephants towards Andrew. He probably feared for his life.

"It's a bit surreal really. It's not really sunk in," he added.

Paulton Rovers normally average crowds of 100 to 150 people but just under 1,000 came through the turnstiles on Saturday for the 3-0 win over Chippenham Town.

"We're hoping it's going to be nearer 3,000 than 2,000 [for Norwich City] and we've got the ground grading people going round now measuring up and they'll us how many we can get in," said Jones.

"The good thing is we can go out and enjoy it. There's no pressure on us at all now as nobody expects us to win."