Wisbech Town are gearing up for their first FA Vase quarter final appearance for 24 years.

Cambs Times: Wisbech football v Northampton Sileby Rangers. Picture: Steve Williams.Wisbech football v Northampton Sileby Rangers. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

The Fenmen will travel down to Southampton on Friday night ahead of Saturday’s mammoth clash with Sholing FC.

Cambs Times: Wisbech football v Northampton Sileby Rangers. Picture: Steve Williams.Wisbech football v Northampton Sileby Rangers. Picture: Steve Williams. (Image: Archant)

Saturday’s opponents are a formidable prospect - they have dropped seven points all season in the Sydenham Football League and won their most recent game 9-0.

But Wisbech are also a side to be feared this season - they have already picked up memorable FA Vase scalps at Ashington and Hadleigh United.

Joint boss Dick Creasey said: “Anybody who looks at Sholing’s stats and the amount of goals they have scored (80 in 23 league games) and conceded (16 in 23 games) would say they are frightening.

“I’ve been down to watch them and had other people watch them and they are a formidable team.

“But we have got to travel there with a bit of belief and we have beaten teams with good records during this run.

“The key will be to perform on the day. My team talk is going to be easy. It is about who wants it most.”

The Fenmen tuned up for the FA Vase showdown with two home wins.

Despite playing with 10-men for 50 minutes following Kieron Doherty’s sending off, they beat Northampton Sileby Rangers 4-1 in the United Counties League on Saturday.

Doherty broke the deadlock before his dismissal and there were second half goals from Callum Reed, Stuart Cobb and Matt Lunn.

On Tuesday, a brace from Danny White and Cobb’s strike saw Wisbech beat Moulton Harrox 3-0 in a pre FA Vase friendly which was arranged after Creasey expressed concerns about his side’s recent lack of games.

Creasey said: “It was good for the players to get some time in their legs. I’m a lot happier about our preparation than I was last week.

“In the first half against Northampton the general play was poor but after half time, even with 10 men, it was a stroll.”

Despite the club’s best efforts, they have been unable to find a replacement for Tom James, who has moved to Australia since scoring the winner against Hadleigh in the last round.

Creasey said: “We’ve tried our socks off to bring someone in but nothing’s happened so we will go there with what we have got.”

Wisbech’s preparations for tomorrow’s game have been given a boost by Wisbech company Fenland Fire Appliance LLP, who have paid for the team to stay in a hotel in Southampton on Friday night.

Creasey said: “It makes a big difference. We stayed in a hotel before the Ashington game and it helped us get our preparations right.

“Unfortunately, we were just outside the jurisdiction to claim for overnight accommodation but Terry and Linda Hawkins have stepped in and paid a fair sum of money so we can stay in a hotel. We are absolutely indebted to them.”