Ipswich Wanderers’ stalwart David Head may well miss out on his side’s biggest game of the season this afternoon, but no one will blame him if he does.

Glenn Read’s Thurlow Nunn Premier outfit go to Hertfordshire-based St Margaretsbury in the FA Vase Second Round and Head, a three-time finalist with AFC Sudbury, would love to add to his achievements in the competition.

However, his absence from the team and any victory today will pale into insignificance should another imminent milestone take place back home.

The player’s wife is due to give birth anytime now and the defender or midfielder admitted: “I’m struggling a bit for Saturday!

“If we had got a home draw, I definitely would have been able to make it as I only live around the corner.

“With the game being two hours away I think I’d better do the right thing!

“I’m sure, with or without me, the boys will go there, put in the best performance they can, and hopefully get us through to the next round of the Vase.”

A famous victory for Read’s men would see them advance into the third round of the competition as the teams begin to whittle down.

The Recreation Ground, Stanstead Abbotts, might be unknown territory for the Suffolk side, and Wanderers would no doubt have preferred a home draw.

But they travel with confidence having already seen off three teams from the same league as St Margaretsbury this season – the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

Hadley and Cockfosters have already fallen to defeat against the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division new-boys in the Vase, as have Hoddesdon Town, who lost to Wanderers in the FA Cup back in August.

“I don’t know too much about them (St Margaretsbury),” claimed the experienced campaigner.

“I think Glenn has had them watched, they’re a bit of an unknown, but what I do know is that we’ve already beaten three teams from their division.

“We will go there with confidence, it won’t be easy and it would have been nice to be at home, but away days bond everyone at the club together.

“Personally, I would have preferred a home draw as I’ve done all the travelling (after years of success with Sudbury and Leiston) before, but we were due an away day as we’ve had lots of home games in cup competitions this season.”

A player with vast experience in the Vase, Head is certainly hoping for more success this campaign.

“It’s a magical competition,” he added.

“If you’re still in it after Christmas, that’s when it starts to get really interesting.

“I think we could have this one plus one more before we get to that stage, but once you’re in the business end, anything can happen.

“Cup football and particularly the Vase can have a snowball effect on your season.

“Momentum is everything.

“If you are still in it in January and you win the one-off games, then all of a sudden you could well find yourself in the last 16 or the quarter-finals without hardly even realising it.

“The supporters and players get excited, you get more through the gate, and you get more media coverage.”

Victory at St Margaretsbury will earn Wanderers £1,200.