We face our toughtest test to date, warns Ford - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

VCD Athletic boss Martin Ford is relishing their FA Carlsberg Vase third round trip to Ridgeons Premier League side Wisbech Town on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Vickers made the trip to Cambridgeshire four years ago and were on the receiving end of a
6-1 thrashing in the FA Cup.

But Ford believes his side will not disgrace themselves this time out, but admitted it will be a very tough encounter at Fenland Park.

He said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk  : “The expectations are the same as last year, how far can we go?

“Last season we reached the last sixteen, can we get into the last 32 this season? We’re trying to repeat that if we can.”

Ford has done his homework on their opponents for a clash that should attract a crowd of 500 to Fenland Park.

Any replay, however, will take place at Vickers’ Oakwood ground in Crayford next Saturday.

“We know plenty about them,” Ford revealed. “We’ve had them watched, (they are a club) with a few internal problems up there. Players are leaving and there are injuries and hopefully we are playing them at the right time.”

Ford’s men, second in the Kent League table and six points behind Thamesmead Town, must work hard if they are to pull off a victory.

“I think we have to be strong and physical early on,” said Ford. “They’re expecting 500 up there so we have to be nice and strong and defend set plays well.

“We need to be on our mettle and make sure we get off to a good start, don’t concede early and take the game to them when we can.”

He added: “It’s a big test. This is our biggest test to date. We’re expecting a very tough game but at the same time we’re not frightened.”

Left-back David Hunt (knee) and midfielder Kevin Winchcombe (hamstring) have both been ruled out.

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcd-athletic.co.uk

Wisbech Town v VCD Athletic
FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round
Saturday 9^th December 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Fenland Park, Lerowe Road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 3QL