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Non-league preview: Wisbech hoping for one of their greatest days
Wisbech Town's Callum Reed. Photo: Alan Miller
WISBECH chief Steve Appleby has told his players to seize the moment tomorrow.
The Fenmen go in search of FA Vase glory when hosting Gateshead side Dunston UTS in a mouth-watering fourth round tie at the Elgoods Fenland Stadium tomorrow.
Wisbech, who twice reached the semi-finals in successive seasons during the 1980s, are now only four matches from a possible date at Wembley.
Club bosses are anticipating an attendance of around 500 at the Fenland Stadium and Appleby wants it to be remembered as one the great occasions in the club’s history.
Appleby said: “The people of Wisbech love days like this and I’m sure they’ll turn out in force.
“It should be a fantastic occasion and getting the right result will make it even better.
“I spent a bit of time playing up there myself and have spoken to contacts about what to expect from Dunston.
“It’s clear from everything I’ve heard and seen on the internet that they’re a good side. We’ll respect them but we certainly won’t fear them.
“Anyway these matches comes down to who wants it the most and we have to make sure that win, lose or draw we don’t come off the pitch with any regrets.
“There’s an obvious buzz in the dressing room because of the potential rewards. We’ve given ourselves a chance of getting to Wembley but there is obviously a long way to go before those sort of dreams become reality.
“We know we can’t look beyond Saturday but it is impossible not to think about what could be down the line.”
Appleby describes the absence of midfield ace Callum Reed due to suspension as a ‘massive blow’. Recent defensive recruit Ollie Pinner is cup-tied.
Anthony Reeve will return to the heart of the Wisbech defence but Appleby is still mulling over his options for replacing Reed.
Dunston are fourth in the tough Northern League Division One. They are five points off the top but have six matches in hand on current leaders - and FA Vase holders - Whitley Bay.
Should the tie end in stalemate, a replay will be staged next Saturday.
n NORTHERN Star chief Chris Plummer insists there is no room for complacency if the club’s fabulous first FA Vase adventure is to continue.
The city lads hit the road for Stoke tomorrow to face Norton United in a fourth-round tie - and they’ll board the coach confident of claiming victory.
Norton play their football a level below Star at Step 6 of the National League System, but they are unbeaten in North West Counties Division One.
Plummer said: “It has been a cracking achievement to come this far in our first attempt at playing in the FA Vase, but we certainly don’t want the run to end here.
“We had Norton watched soon after the draw was made. They’re a big and physical side much like the team we faced in the last round.
“We definitely won’t under-estimate them just because they play a level below us. Norton wouldn’t have reached this stage of the Vase or possess an unbeaten record at this stage of the season if they weren’t a talented team.
“But I have always maintained that we are capable of winning any match providing we play to our maximum potential. The lads have stepped up to the plate in previous big games this season and I’m sure that will happen again.”
Star will be able to call on the services of wideman Dan Clements but midfielder Ali Nyang is suspended and Ben Porter is cup-tied.
Norton were beaten by another local team, Blackstones, in this competition back in 2007.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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