Cup fever is engulfing Colston Avenue this week as Carshalton Athletic aim to further progress in this season's FA Trophy competition, writes James Barrett-Sterling.

The Robins have made it through to the first round proper and a match against fellow Bostik Premier outfit Dorking Wanderers, but this game carries more weight than that of just a simple cup tie.

The two clubs met three weeks ago and played out a thrilling goalless draw, but Wanderers were guilty of several over-zealous challenges throughout - one of which resulted in a broken collarbone for Carshalton playmaker Ricky Korboa.

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But the Robins' preparation ahead of this weekend's mouthwatering tie is being made off the back of a shock 3-2 league defeat against struggling Burgess Hill Town last Saturday.

"We will be geared up for this game because not only do we have to improve from the last result but we all want to win for Ricky too," Carshalton forward Mike Dixon reaffirmed this week.

"We can only blame ourselves for the defeat at Burgess Hill because we knew we'd have to adjust to the poor conditions before kick-off, but it took us a long time to get into the game and we ultimately got punished.

"So we can't afford to go in against Dorking like that and we'll be working hard to prepare ourselves in training this week."

As the game began in incessant rain and swirling winds, Carshalton put in arguably their worst first-half performance of the season at Burgess Hill as they trudged into the break three goals behind.

With two personnel changes made by the start of the second-half, and more resolve on display, player/boss Peter Adeniyi and then midfielder Jacob Mendy reduced the arrears by 63 minutes.

And the travelling fans thought their charges had dramatically rescued a point late on, but Ola Sogbanmu's close range effort was ruled out for offside.

Dixon himself is enjoying a renaissance at the moment as, following a spell out with injury, he created both goals in the 2-0 FA Trophy victory against Walton Casuals and recently hit the winning goal against Enfield Town.

"I'm glad to be back, I've worked hard to get fit and I just need to take my opportunities when I'm given them," he added.

Carshalton Athletic vs Dorking Wanderers in the FA Trophy is on Saturday 15th December (kick-off 3pm).