Boston on the back burner as Peterborough Sports prepare for their toughest test, FA Vase derby at Peterborough Northern Star

The city side will travel to National League North side Boston United in the second qualifying round of the world’s greatest knockout competition on September 22.

“We couldn’t have been drawn against a bigger club in our part of the draw,” Sports boss Jimmy Dean said. “It’s a great tie. At this stage you either want a home game you are likely to win or an away game against top opposition.

“I’d rather take Boston on than play another round for the sake of it. They get 1,200 fans at home games at step two level which is remarkable and we have a few former Boston players who are confident we can beat them. Basildon play at the same level as us and yet we looked a step above them in the FA Cup last week. Boston are a big step up from that though.

“But that’s all for the future. We need to make sure we are ready for a really hard league game tomorrow first.”

Dean is expecting a tough Southern League Division One central game against Didcot, FA Vase winners in 2005 and a team who reached the first round of the FA Cup three years ago.

“We’re unbeaten in our first eight competitive matches,” he added. “But we are taking nothing for granted.

“We started last season well, but once the injuries started kicking in we struggled. We have a couple of injuries now, but I have made sure the squad has been thickened out talent wise for this season so we can cope with a few absentees.

“Didcot will be a good side. It will be the hardest game we’ve had.”

Towering centre-back Richard Jones will miss this weekend and the Boston tie as will Mitch Griffiths. They both have hamstring problems. Lewis Webb and Dan Lawlor are other doubts tomorrow.

Yaxley hope to arrest a run of four straight defeats at home to Sutton Coldfield tomorrow.

Peterborough Northern Star host March Town in an attractive second round qualifying tie in the FA Vase tomorrow (3pm).

Star go into the game in decent form with wins in their last three competitive matches.

Deeping Rangers (at Walsham Le Willows) and Pinchbeck United (at Woodbridge) are also in Vase action.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 15

FA VASE

Second Round Qualifying: Peterborough Northern Star v March Town United, Walsham Le Willows v Deeping Rangers, Woodbridge Town v Pinchbeck United.

EVO STIK NORTHERN LEAGUE

East Division: Spalding Utd v Pickering Town, Stamford v Morpeth Town, Wisbech Town v Marske Utd.

EVO STIK SOUTHERN LEAGUE

Division One Central: Peterborough Sports v Didcot Town, Yaxley v Sutton Coldfield Town.

FUTURE LIONS Utd COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Holbeach United v Cogenhoe United FC.

THURLOW NUNN EASTERN LEAGUE

Division One North: Wisbech St Mary v Downham Town.