THE two favourites in the Isuzu FA Vase will go head-to-head in front of a sold-out Claines Lane crowd on Saturday as Worcester City and Emley play for a place in the semi-finals... just two games from a Wembley final.
Neither side could be in better form. Both sit top of their respective leagues with City leading the way in the Hellenic League Premier and Emley are six points clear of Campion at the top of the Northern Counties East League (NCEL) Premier Division with two games still in hand.
They have been in superb form all season. They come to Claines on the back of six wins in a row in all competitions, including the 2-0 victory over Whickham in the fifth-round of the Vase.
They boast one of the country's most in-form strikers in non-league football in Ruben Jerome, who has 34 goals in all competitions this season, including seven in his last 6 games.
Otherwise, these two sides will have to figure each other out on the pitch in what looks set to be a thrilling cup tie, matched by a raucous atmosphere at the Lane.
But City will not fear anyone. They can set a new club record of consecutive wins in all competitions with a 15th victory in a row on Saturday and captain Adam Mace is confident his players have what it takes to beat their in-form opponents from Huddersfield.
"The gaffer would have done his research on them so we’ll have a bit of an understanding of what they’re about and the dangers they may be able to cause us," said Mace.
"They’re flying high like we are in their respective league and we’ll respect that.
"But we have showed, on occasions, we are an extremely good team when things click, if we perform to the levels the management staff and we expect of each other, then we have a fantastic opportunity to progress.
"But it’s a fantastic cup tie between two good sides and it’s set to be a momentous occasion. I know the faithful will turn up in their numbers again and get behind us and now it’s up to us to put on a performance that’ll live long in the memory."
The winner on Saturday will move to within two games of Wembley and City fans will have already begun dreaming of a special trip. Even Mace admits the excitement of this cup run is gaining momentum.
"I can’t wait," he added. "I am extremely fortunate and proud to lead this group of players out this week and tomorrow will be another opportunity for us to go out and impress.
"We’ve been superb week in, week out, but we’re an experienced group that are fully aware nothing is done yet. We know what we’re capable of and I’ve got no doubts that we’ll put out a performance that’ll do ourselves and the supporters justice."
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