THE 2008/09 FA Cup competition kicks-off tonight with seasoned campaigner Kevin Horlock part of the Needham Market side that visits Thetford with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Elvin King

THE 2008/09 FA Cup competition kicks-off tonight with seasoned campaigner Kevin Horlock part of the Needham Market side that visits Thetford with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Horlock, 35, has experience of the latter stages with Manchester City, West Ham and Swindon, but he has no regrets about experiencing life at this stage of the competition.

The midfielder, who lives on the Suffolk/Norfolk border having played for Ipswich Town from 2004 to 2006, is assistant manager to Danny Laws at Needham.

He played in Needham's two Ridgeons League, Premier Division wins over the last seven days and said today: “I'm really enjoying my time at Needham and been very impressed with manager Danny Laws.

“I have been at some big professional clubs where the coaches have not been as thorough as Danny.

“I'm sure with my professional experience, along with his coaching expertise, we can both learn from each other.”

Needham have every incentive to win tonight as their next opponents will be Soham, who pipped them for the Ridgeons League title last season and subsequently moved up to the British Gas Southern League Division One Midlands.

Laws is looking to go at least one better this season after two victories in the FA Cup in 2007/08.

Laws said: “We have set our stall this season to keep more clean sheets. Having conceded early goals in both our league games this season we still have things to work on.

“I expect Thetford to come at us from the start in what will be a welcome break from league action.”