THIS weekend marks the first round proper of the FA Cup, with non-league sides looking to cause some giant-killings as EFL clubs enter the fray.

While highest-ranked non-league clubs in the area Poole Town, Wimborne Town and Hamworthy United have already been knocked out, Cherries will enter the competition at the third round stage.

Along the coast, Dorset side Weymouth welcome AFC Wimbledon tomorrow, while there is some Cherries interest in one of the round's opening fixtures this evening.

Hereford FC of National League North are a phoenix club who have risen through the divisions following the demise of Hereford United.

They welcome League One Hampshire outfit Portsmouth to Edgar Street, looking to defy the three leagues between the two clubs in the English football pyramid.

The game will be televised live on BBC Two, with the Bulls priced as 10-1 outsiders by bookmakers.

In charge of Hereford is Josh Gowling.

The 38-year-old spent three seasons at Cherries between 2005 and 2008, featuring 94 times for the club during their spell in League One.

He now takes centre stage in front of the TV cameras this evening.

“It’s a big jump for us to play a team like that,” Gowling told the Hereford Times, previewing the Portsmouth clash.

“We’ve got to be at 100 per cent and at our maximum and if we’re not then we’ll get found wanting. The club has already won in the sense it’s put the club back in the spotlight which it hasn’t been for a while.

“Financially it’ll be great for the club. If we win we’ll just look at the next one. We’re not going to get too high or too low, we just need to keep on an even keel and look to get a result on Friday.

“The lads are raring to go. A big area of my background that I can help the lads with is coping mechanisms and how we cope under pressure.

“We’ve got to drill these lads that when the pressure is on that all they are focusing on is what we’ve done in training.

“They are expected to win, they’re on television, they’re a Football League club and they’re expected to win comfortable while nothing is expected from us.

“But if they’re not on their game then they’ll get found wanting.”

Hereford have already won three games to get to this stage, beating Bromsgrove Sporting, Three Bridges and Bromley.