BRACKNELL Town joint-managers Jeff Lamb and Paul McGrotty, along with coach Derek Sweetman, are determined to bring an end to their past FA Vase heartaches, writes Dave Wright.

Twice they guided their previous club, Ascot United, to the quarter-final stage, only to see their final dreams shattered – by Shildon in 2013 and St Austell two years later.

“We don’t want that disappointment again, we are going to get through this time,” said Lamb with confidence ahead of Town’s attractive tie against Marske United at Larges Lane on Saturday (3pm).

The Yorkshire seaside club, who lie third in the Northern League with nine games in hand of the two sides above them, are currently the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy at Wembley in May.

Lamb is keeping his notes about the visitors close to his chest, but did admit: “We have the experience of Shildon from a few years ago, so we know what we are going to be facing. We also have some information on them and we will be setting things up accordingly for Saturday.”

McGrotty added: “We’ve got a very tough draw, as a number of (Vase) winners have come from their league. There is a lot of talk that they (Markse) are not used to a 3G pitch, but I think they will enjoy playing on our pitch. We will have our hands full.”

The managers are not expected to confirm their starting 11 until shortly before the kick-off, but definitely ruled out is experienced midfielder Carl Withers, who was sent off in the 6-2 win over Didcot Town Reserves in the Perpetua Floodlit Cup on Tuesday last week.

Centre-back Justin Clayton, who injured his ankle in the previous round of the Vase at Coleshill, is doubtful, but skipper Carl Davies, who damaged two ribs in the same game, proved his fitness when playing in the 2-0 win over Burnham last Saturday.

Recent signing Jesse Wilson, who played against Didcot and Burnham, is likely to partner Davies at the heart of the defence if Clayton is ruled out.

The Robins could be facing a player who knows what it’s like to taste Wembley glory as Marske have recently signed midfielder Andy Stephenson, who collected winners’ medals with Spennymoor in 2013 and South Shields last year.

He made his debut in their 1-0 win over Shildon last Saturday.

Town chairman Kayne Steinborn-Busse is describing it as the biggest game in the club’s long history and one of the biggest sporting occasions ever to be held in the town.

With Marske planning to bring down two coachloads of supporters, the crowd on Saturday could be close to 1,000.

Extra refreshments kiosks and portable toilets will be available, but car parking in the immediate vicinity of the Larges Lane ground will be extremely limited and the club are requesting fans to use the town-centre car parks, a short walk away.

Greg Clarke, chairman of the Football Association who lives in Virginia Water, is expected to attend the tie.

Bracknell are among three Berkshire sides involved in the sixth-round of the Vase this Saturday, but the only ones playing at home, as Hellenic League rivals Thatcham go to Melksham and Windsor make the long trek to play Marske’s league rivals Stockton.