Cup competitions can often bring much-needed momentum for teams struggling in the league – which is why Ely City head coach Martin Grey is relishing Saturday’s clash with Diss Town in The Buildbase FA Vase second round qualifying.
Ely gained promotion to the Eastern Counties Premier League last season but have lost six of their opening nine matches and sit 19th in the table after just two victories.
Star striker Alex Theobald scored an extra-time winner in their first round qualifying win against Kirkley & Pakefield on his return from injury to book Saturday’s match with Diss – who sit a division below Ely.
Ely City v Diss Town
The Buildbase FA Vase
Second Round Qualifying
3pm, Saturday 24 September 2016
The Unwin Ground
Winners receive £800 from prize fund
Click here for fixtures
By Charlie Bennett
The pair played each other twice last season, which included a 3-3 draw, and Grey is expecting another close encounter.
And he hopes another victory will inject some confidence into his side and transform their league campaign.
"It has been a challenge as we have not picked up points in the league, so it’s going to be tough but we have the squad to do it," he said.
"A run in The Vase would be very nice as it would give the boys a lot of confidence.
"It gives the lads a game to look forward – especially a big national cup game like the The FA Vase. It is a cup which if you can get a good run in, then you can go far."
Grey is still busy in the transfer market and hopes to add another striker to his ranks before this weekend’s game, but the return of Theobald is perhaps more important.
The striker signed from Fordham a year ago and scored the goals which fired them to promotion, and Evans is delighted to have him back.
"Alex has scored in the last two league games as well so he has scored three in three after a disrupted pre-season. That has given him a boost and he will be key at the weekend," he said.
"He stood up from the local football scene and last season he was great for us. We did miss him so it is very important for us that he is back.
"We will put our strongest side out although we are without a couple of key players like Matty Simpson and George Darling.
"We have strength in depth this year and we are hoping to get a striker in by the weekend. He has been to watch us and he needs to speak to his current club so we hope to chuck him straight in."
Buildbase FA Vase History
Ely City have never gone beyond the fourth round, which they reached in 2012-13 – the same season they won the last of their four Cambridgeshire Invitation Cups. Diss Town do have pedigree however, as they beat Taunton Town in front of 13,450 at Wembley Stadium 2-1 to win the trophy in 1994.
Did you know?
Ely City reached the first round of The Emirates FA Cup in 1956-57, in what remains their only appearance in the main draw, where they lost to Torquay United 6-2.
Former England international striker Trevor Whymark both started and finished his career at Diss Town. The Norfolk star spent the best years of his career at Ipswich Town, where he played over 200 times.
One to watch
Theobald may be banging in the goals but goalkeeper Harry Reynolds is arguably more important. The Ely City star may only be 19 but he has made a big impact already this season and boss Grey is convinced he has a big future in the game.
"We have conceded too many goals this season and none of them have been his fault," he said. "Our defence needs to do a better job. Harry has kept us in a few games."
The Prize
The winners will be among 198 teams to contest the first round proper. They will also land £800 in prize money.
