NEEDHAM Market face another stiff FA Vase test at Bloomfields tomorrow as they entertain Daventry Town in the fifth round of this national competition.

Mike Bacon

NEEDHAM Market face another stiff FA Vase test at Bloomfields tomorrow as they entertain Daventry Town in the fifth round of this national competition.

The Northamptonshire side boast a cracking current record and travel to Bloomfields full of confidence. Daventry are second in the United Counties Premier League, two points behind St Neots, but with six games in hand. It's another big game for Danny Laws' Needham side, whose FA Vase run has already pitted them up against fellow Ridgeons sides CRC and Kirkley & Pakefield.

Needham obviously won both of those, and Laws knows today is another difficult assignment.

“We know Daventry will be tough,” he said.

“But we'll prepare in our normal manner, show them the respect they deserve and do our homework, as we always do.

“I believe they are a big side and are no doubt well balanced and well organised.

“But my job as manager is to try and adapt the team I pick to do the job.”

Needham and FA Vase runs are now nothing new, as Laws' team continue to impress in the competition. But heart-breaking defeats to Kirkham & Wesham and at Chalfont St Peter in the last four and last eight respectively, have failed to see them as yet reach a final.

The Needham fans however seem to know the importance of the Vase, as Laws admits. “I think our fans are warming up for the Vase,” Laws added.

“Last weekend was a bit of a boring 1-0 win against Dereham, but our fans were in good voice throughout.

“They have been unbelievable and they need to understand how important a part they can play.”

Needham are the last Suffolk side left in the competition, but victory would see them through to the last eight in this competition for a third successive year.

Daventry are a side thriving on confidence. They don't lose many games and it shows in their style of football.

This is a big test for Needham Market, but Laws' side are full of confidence too. Certainly one of the favourites for this season's FA Vase is about to be eliminated.

Suffolk non-league fans will be hoping it's not the Bloomfields club.