FA VASE: MELKSHAM Town face their biggest game of the season on Saturday as they bid to reach the last 32 of the FA Vase for the first time in their history.
Eagle Bitter United Counties outfit St Neots Town are the visitors to The Conigre for the third round clash, with neither side having managed to progress further than the last 64 of the competition before.
Melksham were knocked out at the third round stage three seasons ago, matching their best performance in the 1981/82 season, while the Cambridgeshire side were unsuccessful at the same hurdle in 1978/79.
But both sides have recovered from indifferent starts to the season and go into the clash in fine form.
A 2-1 reverse at University side Team Bath on Saturday was only Melksham's second defeat in 17 matches, while St Neots have climbed to sixth place in the United Counties Premier Division with eight straight wins.
Melksham manager Robbie Lardner expects St Neots to provide his side with a tough test of their credentials.
He said: "I've been to see them play and the league they play in looks to be a good footballing league.
"I don't think they had all their players available for the game I went to see, but they had some good individuals and it will be a test for us.
"The have won eight game in a row and are obviously a side in form, although league positions don't count for a lot in the FA Vase.
"I expect there are some tougher sides left in the competition, but I'm sure they are thinking the same thing."
Lardner, who admitted his side were second best at Team Bath on Saturday, believes going into the clash on the back of a defeat could be a blessing in disguise.
He said: "Maybe Saturday was the kick up the backside we needed before the Vase game. Even though we've been winning and defending well as a team, we haven't been playing as I know we can in recent games."
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