WITH the spotlight firmly on another return to Tamworth for Nick Colley tomorrow, Worcester City team-mate Graham Ward's connection with the fixture has almost gone unnoticed.

The pint-sized midfielder made 45 starts and five appearances as a substitute during his stint with the Lambs.

However, the former Cheltenham Town man was released after falling out of favour with then boss Mark Cooper.

City manager Andy Preece took the Irishman on loan before making the move permanent with an 18-month deal last November.

Ward, once on the books at Kidderminster Harriers, has been a key part of the City side ever since and has played in all 10 games so far this season.

Although the Dubliner featured in Worcester's 2-0 league victory at Tamworth earlier this month, Ward has particular reason to be fired up for this FA Cup second qualifying round clash.

The competition holds special memories for the 24-year-old following his involvement in one of Tamworth's runs to the third round proper - a feat they have achieved in the past last two seasons.

In 2006, Ward was part of the team that saw off two League sides before suffering the heartbreak of a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Stoke in a third round replay at The Lamb.

Ward, who suffered the same fate with City in the fourth qualifying round at Basingstoke in only his second game for the club, said: "I had a good time at Tamworth.

"I must have played 50-odd games for them and I always gave everything I had for them.

"We had a cup run when we beat Bournemouth and Hartlepool and then went to Stoke, drew with them and lost on penalties at our place, we did so well."

Ward is also keen to help City bounce back from the error-strewn 3-1 defeat at Alfreton Town last Saturday.

He said: "Saturday was awful from start to finish.

"I don't know what happened but we were pretty shocking.

"If we play like that against Tamworth we will get hammered.

"We played well against Tamworth earlier this month. Chris Smith, Ryan Clarke and Patrece Liburd were the rocks for us at the back that day but we gave away such soft goals at Alfreton."