NEEDHAM Market manager Danny Laws says his side are eager to kick-start another run to the latter stages of the FA Vase when they host Northampton Spencer in the second round today.

Stuart Watson

NEEDHAM Market manager Danny Laws says his side are eager to kick-start another run to the latter stages of the FA Vase when they host Northampton Spencer in the second round today.

The Suffolk side made it all the way to the semi-finals last year, but were denied a place in the showpiece Wembley final by eventual winners Kirkham & Wesham.

Laws said: “Eleven of the squad that got on the pitch against Kirkham last year are still here and there are five others that are just as eager to have a taste of that.

“We enjoyed a fantastic run in the Vase last year and the players learnt a lot from that experience.

“I have got a fully fit squad to pick from against Northampton (Spencer) and that is the first time that has happened in a long time.

“That will work in our favour - as will being at home. Hopefully there will be a big crowd, including some of the new fans we picked up through the Vase run last season.”

Having just missed out on the league title and promotion to the Ryman League on the final day of last season, Needham have failed to recreate their early form from the 2007/8 campaign which saw them win all 13 of their opening matches.

Needham currently sit ninth in the Ridgeons League Premier Division, but Laws is keen to stress that things are not as bad as some might suggest.

“In all honestly we have not started that badly,” said Laws. “We have had some good results while three of our five defeats have come against Lowestoft (top), Leiston (fourth with games in hand) and Wroxham (reigning champions).”

Meanwhile, last season's beaten Wembley finalists Lowestoft Town will be confident of kick-starting a similar run when they host Tiptree United.

Lowestoft have been in sensational form in the league so far this season and are currently nine points clear at the top-of-the-table. Newly-promoted Tiptree have equipped themselves well to life in the Premier League though and have won six of their opening 13 games.

Elsewhere in the FA Vase, in-form Leiston - who have a massive FA Cup first round replay on Tuesday night - are likely to field a weakened side in their home match against Ridgeons League Division One side Debenham LC.

Kirkley & Pakefield host Dereham Town, while Mildenhall Town travel to Kent League side VCD Athletic.

In the British Gas Business League Division One Midlands, Bury Town face a difficult away game at Atherstone Town today.

Bury reacted well to last week's FA Cup defeat with a 7-0 victory at Rothwell on Tuesday, but face a side that are unbeaten in 11 games today.

The Suffolk side's cause will not be helped by the fact that their three most experienced players in the form of Gavin Johnson, Dean Greygoose and Roscoe Hipperson are all out injured, however, Scott Chaplin should be available again, while Ben Coker will be looking to cement his first team place.

Elsewhere, AFC Sudbury travel to Stourport Swifts in the same division, while there is a packed schedule of Ridgeons League fixtures.