FA Vase preview: Spennymoor won't take Gornal lightly (From Dudley News)

FA Vase preview: Spennymoor won't take Gornal lightly

2:30pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport

SPENNYMOOR boss Jason Ainsley feels his side must be at 100 per cent to beat Gornal.

The hosts go into Saturday’s game as favourites to make it through to the last four.

But Ainsley, who has managed The Moors since 2006, says there is no chance of the Peacocks being taken lightly.

He and assistant Gavin Fell made the trip south to watch Gornal’s recent win over Stourport Swifts and the boss is under no illusions to the challenge Ian Rowe’s men pose.

Ainsley said: “Gornal are a big threat to us, if we do not play at 100 per cent we will be in trouble.

“In most games if we have six or seven play well we might have a chance but on Saturday we can’t afford any players to have an off day.

“It’s a massive game for both clubs.”

Like Gornal, Spennymoor are entering new territory as despite winning the Northern League Division One title for the past three seasons, this is the furthest they have ever progressed in the Vase.

Ainsley feels the club have under-achieved in a competition which has been won by rivals Whitley Bay and Dunston UTS the past few years.

He said: “In the past few years we have been knocked out by teams we should really have beaten.

“A lot of it comes down to the luck of the draw. This year we have had a lot of home ties and been able to capitalise.

“We have won our league the past three seasons but you don’t seem to get any recognition unless you do well in the Vase.

“It’s almost like a sign of status. The team of the year award has always gone to the Vase winners and for us as a club it’s important we do well in it.”