THIS weekend is set to be "the biggest game in our history" for Whittlesey Athletic as they welcome Worcester City to Feldale Field for their second-round Buildbase FA Vase tie.

Player-manager Ricky Hailstone is hoping for a bumper crowd for what will be the first time Athletic have ever appeared in the second-round of the Vase.

The Cambridgeshire-based side (Step 6) shocked Midland Football League Premier side Wolverhampton Casuals in round one by a goal to nil before being drawn City.

Athletic occupy fifth spot in the Eastern Counties League Division One North and have won eight of their 14 games this season.

But this weekend will top whatever they do in other matches, according to Hailstone.

"I don’t think we could have got a much tougher draw,” Hailstone said to the Cambs Times.

"It’s nice to have a big non-league club coming here and it will be good for Whittlesey. It is the club’s biggest game in our history; we’ve never been this far in the competition before.

"As far as we’re concerned, it’s about what we do and not so much what they’re bringing into the game."

But City are bringing plenty of form into the tie having won six games on the spin in all competitions and flying high in third place in the MFL Prem.

Worcester made light work of Lutterworth Town in round one and since that win, have scored 15 and conceded just once.

"I don’t anticipate us having more possession or more chances, but what I do anticipate is if we get a chance, we will take it," added Hailstone

"But if you give them time and space, I think they’ll play and pass it around you.  

"That’s probably what I fear the most if we give them too much respect.”