Deres boss has Vase vision ahead of Holbeach clash

By Saturday evening, there is a chance either Holbeach United or Erith & Belvedere will have made history.

Neither club has reached the last eight of The FA Vase before, but that record will change if there is a winner when the sides meet in the Fifth Round at Carters Park.

Both teams are flying high in their respective leagues but focus is now on making a significant step closer to a dream date at Wembley.

Having beaten three teams on the road already in this competition, Kent Southern Counties East League side Erith & Belvedere face a trip to Lincolnshire.

But manager Matt Longhurst insists his team will not be fazed by making another long trip north to the United Counties Premier Division club following the late postponement of their match last weekend.

"We're expecting quite a few supporters with us so it will be a great day for the club," Longhurst told TheFA.com.

"We stayed up in a hotel the night before with the staff and a few supporters and it was disappointing for the game to be called off because a lot of people had given up time off work and spent a lot of money to make the trip.

"To create a new club record by getting into the quarter-finals would be something special for the club. We're having a great league season but the cup competitions are always exciting to be involved in."

The Deres have been in scintillating form in 2015, winning all of their games in January before cruising to a 4-0 win over Canterbury City on Tuesday. 

Longhurst made a number of changes in midweek with Saturday's tie in mind and has taken advantage of last week's postponement to refine his team's preparations.

"I went to watch them [Holbeach United] on Wednesday night and I was very impressed," he said.

"They've got two quick strikers and some direct wingers who will cause problems. 

I've prepared a document which I have sent round for the players to look at on the coach up on Saturday morning so hopefully by kick-off we'll be confident of winning the game."