RIBBLE Valley cup warriors Clitheroe hit the FA Vase trail against Willenhall Town tomorrow-gunning for a place in the last 16 and a slice of club history!

Clitheroe face the Interlink Midland Alliance League outfit at Shawbridge as they line up in the fourth round for the first time since 1982-83.

Today joint-manager Denis Underwood urged the home support to roar the Blues to victory and a step nearer a first ever Wembley final appearance on May 12.

"The FA Vase starts getting really serious after Christmas and we have a great chance of further progress," he said.

"It is a really big day for Clitheroe, and at this stage of the FA Vase everybody starts thinking about Wembley. "It is a big turnaround from last season. In the league our form has been indifferent but in the cup competitions we have done really well.

"Obviously the main thing in a game like this is home advantage. We are confident but not complacent. I'm sure it will be a cracking tie."

The Blues have shown prolific cup form in their march into the fourth round. Clitheroe have featured in six ties, including the qualifiers, leaking only two goals and netting 17!

The best display was the brilliant 6-0 victory over West Auckland. Now Clitheroe are anticipating their biggest attendance for several seasons. "We have been getting good gates for a number of seasons and it would be great to see Shawbridge packed to the rafters for the tie," said chairman Steve Rush.

"We went very close to winning the league last year, but it would be a huge achievement to progress further in a national cup competition."

Underwood will recall goalkeeper Carlo Nash for the tie with John Morrey cup-tied following his appearance for Maine Road in the competition.

Clitheroe's record Shawbridge attendance was set in the FA Vase when 1,600 fans watched the tie against Atherstone United in 1982/83.

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