BUZZING boss Steve Claridge is chomping at the bit for tomorrow's FA Vase showdown with league strugglers Folland Sports.

The Whites pit their wits with Folland in the second round qualifying of the competition at the Ray Mac (3pm).

Unbeaten in seven weeks and top of Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division by two points, the hosts have a full compliment for the tie.

Visitors Folland, who are managed by Kevin Jackson, have won just two of their opening 10 league matches, reflecting their precarious league place of fourth from bottom and leaking more goals than anyone, 29 in total.

But the Hampshire visitors will arrive at Old Sarum on the back of last Saturday's 4-2 away win at Newport (IOW), the result not going unnoticed by a wary chief.

The former Pompey striker and now BBC pundit told JournalSport: "We watched them at the start of the season.

"They've changed a little bit since then and have eight new faces, but have had a couple of really good results.

It's a bit of a step into the unknown for us but it will be a tough game.

Thankfully, now, we're pretty much at full-strength."

"Hopefully, everyone is back fit and firing and we'll be taking it very seriously."

The winner of the tie will cash in £800 in prize money and appear in Monday's first round proper draw.

Salisbury reached the second qualifying round after coming from behind to annihilate Wincanton Town in the previous round 8-1.

That day a bumper crowd of 625 turned out for the clash, a figure Claridge is hoping to emulate or even surpass tomorrow.

"Obviously, the further you go the more the excitement builds," added Claridge.

"It's totally different to the league. You can go into it far more relaxed and, for us, it's about enjoying it.

"In all honesty, we don't enjoy playing in the league as it's tough. Teams make it very difficult for us.

"Hopefully we can relax and enjoy the game.

"There's a good feel about it and have to make sure we keep people's feet on the ground.

Ultimately, the more we tested and the better teams we play against, the better we'll be."

"If we are to get through, the first we do is find out what's happening Monday.

It's the same as the FA Cup, it's a massive buzz and I'm not one of those who thinks to do well in the league you need to get out of the cups."

In other ties, Laverstock and Ford battle it out with Cowes Sports and Bemerton Heath Harlequins host title-challengers Andover Town.

Full review and reports in Thursday's Journal.