ANDY Mason predicts Weymouth will win the FA Cup battle of two of his former clubs.

The current Portland United boss reckons Steve Claridge's side will be 'simply too good' for Thame United in the Third Qualifying Round at the Wessex Stadium.

But Mason, who played for Thame before moving to Radipole Lane, is warning the Terras against complacency on October 16.

He told Echosport: "It's a good draw for Weymouth and I think Steve Claridge will be happy to get a lower league side at home.

"Thame have not had the best of starts to the season and are currently lying mid-table in the Southern League West Division One which is a couple of leagues below the Terras.

"On paper you would have to fancy Weymouth because they've got a lot of experienced players who know all about the FA Cup.

"But the Cup can throw up a few upsets now and again and they will have to be on the top of their game because Thame will want to cause a shock."

Mason has fond memories of his time with the Berkshire side, now managed by former England semi-professional international and Wycombe

striker Mark West.

"I had four great years with Thame before I moved down to Weymouth in 1996," he said.

"One of my highlights of my time up there was winning promotion and the club really seemed to be on the up.

"But they've had a rough spell in the last few years and there has been a bit of turmoil off the pitch involving their ground.

"All the players I played with have moved on now but I still keep a close eye on Thame's results and they are capable of pulling off a shock result now and again.

"They tend to pick up a lot of the youngsters released by Oxford United and in Mark West they've got someone who knows what the non-League game is all about.

"But despite all that, I'm sure Weymouth have enough quality to win the tie and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can get down to see the game if my Portland commitments allow."

Thame have had to win three FA Cup ties just to secure their trip to Dorset.

United defeated Norwich United 1-0 away in the Preliminary Round, beat Gorleston 5-3 in a First Qualifying Round replay before seeing off Enfield on the road 1-0 at the weekend.

Claridge cautiously welcomed Weymouth's reward for knocking out local rivals Dorchester Town at the weekend.

He said: "People will say we are favourites but they should think back to last season when we drew Ashford Town in the FA Trophy.

"Everyone said the same thing then but we really struggled to get past them in a replay.

"Obviously we'll get Thame watched before the tie but I'm more concerned with how we perform on the day.

"If we play like we did at the weekend we'll probably go through - if we don't, Thame could well cause an upset."