Hadleigh United are expecting a rough ride against Thurlow Nunn First Division outfit Great Yarmouth Town in the FA Vase this afternoon.

The Brettsiders, who have reached the quarter-finals and last 16 of this competition in the previous two seasons, are certainly not underestimating an intimidating looking Second Round tie against familiar opponents from Norfolk.

“I’d rather we got a home draw,” confessed Hadleigh boss Stuart Crawford, whose side were crowned the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division champions last season.

“It’s still a bit of a trip for us, and they’ve had some good results.

“They’ll be bang up for it as the underdogs, especially at home.

“They’re sitting in seventh (in the league below Hadleigh) but they’re up there with the boys at the top.

“They’ve already had a brilliant run in this competition getting this far through the preliminary rounds, and that’s the thing with the Vase, you get on a roll and it’s all very exciting.”

Crawford and his side certainly have an appetite for the Vase after progressing into the latter stages in the previous two seasons.

“The Vase is quite a big thing for Hadleigh now after our runs,” continued Crawford.

“I know that I’ve certainly got the bug for it, and I know a lot of the players who have helped us in this run have as well.

“With the right group you can go far, and you can get to the final.

“David Batch’s Wroxham proved that, as have Sudbury, and it just goes to show that it is definitely doable.

“What we’ve learnt from the last two seasons though is that we’ve gone out after two really bad performances, and you can’t afford to do that.

“If you have an off-day, you’ll get beat. We especially found that out when we lost to Tunbridge Wells in the quarter-finals (in season 2012/13), with a flat performance, and they got to the final.”

Crawford’s squad has been struck down with a string of injuries of late, but only three now remain a doubt for this weekend, central midfielder Luke Hammond, goalkeeper Ben Nower, and full-back Ashley Sloots.