Ampthill manager Craig Bicknell believes there is something about the FA Vase that brings out the very best in his team.
As they prepare for Saturday’s fourth-round tie with Norwich United, Bicknell's side are flying high in the Spartan South Midlands League and sit top of the table with 62 points.
But Bicknell says despite this healthy return, they have been unable to perform in the big games, unlike in the Vase where it has been the complete opposite.
He said: "When we’ve played the big guns in our league, we haven’t got a result out of them.
Ampthill Town v Norwich United
The FA Carlsberg Vase
Fourth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 18 January
Ampthill Park
Winners receive £2,000
"But when we go into the FA Vase, over the last few years, we just seem to up our game for some reason. When we play the big sides in the competition we seem to be getting the results that we’ve wanted.
"I’m very confident. We’ve had a good build-up to the game, preparing properly over the last few training sessions.
"They’ve lost their last two league games so they’re not going to be full of confidence I don’t think and we’re sitting top of the league. Probably in the last three years of being in this competition, this will be the strongest squad I’ve got."
Bicknell is well aware of the threat posed by Norwich, having sent his coaches to observe their last outing.
"We’ll be expecting a very physical match," he said. "I had them watched on Saturday thinking that even if we get anything out of it, it will be an advantage.
"But we got a lot from it, they lost the game 2-0 but they were a very physical, well organised side so we’ll need to be at the top of our game to beat them."
Lastly Bicknell says he is looking for star striker Danny Watson to make a big impression in the United game.
"I’m expecting a big performance from him," he added. "He’s my top scorer and is already on 34 goals this season."
