Football: NEEDHAM Market travel to Ryman League Ware in the FA Vase with manager Collin Macrow hoping that the tie will inspire 'one or two of my players.'The Jewson League First Division side has had a mixed start to the season and look to have blown their chances of promotion.

NEEDHAM Market travel to Ryman League Ware in the FA Vase with manager Colin Macrow hoping that the tie will inspire "one of two of my players".

The Jewson League First Division side has had a mixed start to the season and look to have blown their chances of promotion.

But Macrow is having none of that and is looking for a spark to be ignited at Second Division Ware.

"Many think that Cambridge City Reserves will run away with the league," he said today.

"I am not so sure as they are a young side and may find life tough when the heavy grounds arrive.

"We are eight points off second place and it is not over by any means. It is up to us to gain a positive result tomorrow and go on from there.

"There has been a buzz around the place this week with the Vase a

special competition. We are travelling by coach and leaving nice and early so that we can stop en route.

"It would be nice if the occasion inspires one or two of my players. Expectations were high that we would be in the midst of the promotion battle and there is still time."

Injuries and the loss of a couple of key players have dented Macrow's hopes. He is suffering from a stomach bug and victory tomorrow would be just what the doctor ordered.

"We have scored five goals on three occasions this season, so if we hit form we are capable of a good result," added Macrow, who will be choosing between 18-year-old Matthew Jones and reserve Kevin Holland for the keeper's jersey.

Jones was injured last week and Holland came in from the second team to be one of the few plusses in the Suffolk Senior Cup first round defeat at Leiston.

Matthew Fenn, who was having

trials with Norwich City not that long ago, has decided to have a rest although seven-day approaches have been received for him from Haughley United and Leiston.

"Matty said that he was not playing as well as he would like and that he needed a break," said Macrow. "I signed Matthew Jones from Mildenhall and he has tremendous potential."

Injury

Now running the side on his own after Colin Sinclair's head of PE duties at East Bergholt High School ruled out his joint managerial role, Macrow said that Neil Cole and Adam Rickwood had both been missed.

"They have been in and out of the side because of injury, and their absence has had an affect. And Ben Woolnough, who we signed from Ipswich Athletic last spring, has not kicked a ball in anger this season after damaging a knee in our final pre-season match.

"He looked great in tandem with former Tottenham Hotspur trainee Blake Saker in pre-season games, but Blake has now moved on to Stanway."

Also in the Vase, Felixstowe and Walton United can belie their poor league form with a home success against Leyton, while Ipswich Wanderers face a difficult task at fellow Jewson League Lowestoft Town.