Spencer boss Ben Stone is adamant Saturday’s trip to Station Road won’t fill his side with fear.
And he believes his men can use the confidence garnered from last weekend’s away win to cause an FA Vase round one upset against UCL Premier Division side Long Buckby.
Goals from Jack Bartley, Ryan Dove, Paul Pickering and Lee Unwin ensured Spencer sealed a 4-1 win at Olney Town last time out.
It was a morale-boosting win for the Millers, who had previously failed to win an away game this season.
Now they’re looking to make it two victories on the road in as many matches as they take a trip to last season’s premier division champions Buckby.
And though wary of the threat Scott Goodwin’s much-changed side pose, Stone believes his team can get a good result in the Vase.
“It’s never easy to go to Buckby but we got a good away win under our belts last weekend and it lessens the burden a bit,” said the Millers manager.
“We’ve been working so hard in training and I knew it would come eventually. After that, this weekend’s game doesn’t fill us with much fear.”
While Spencer are starting to click, Buckby had also enjoyed an upturn in results before their 5-0 drubbing against Desborough in midweek.
Both clubs saw managerial changes during the summer, with Stone replacing Andy Peaks, who is now assistant manager at AFC Rushden & Diamonds, and Goodwin in for Glenn Botterill, who is now boss of Sileby Rangers.
And Stone can see many resemblances between his team and Long Buckby’s.
“Scott’s done well to start from fresh there,” he said. “He’s got a good, young footballing side.
“They haven’t got as much experience as last season and they’re very similar to us in that respect.
“They’re working hard to get results and we know it’s going to be a really stern test for us.”
The prize for the winner, along with a place in round two of the national competition, is £900 and Stone admits it would be nice to give some thing back to those who work so hard to ensure his club continues to run smoothly.
He said: “This competition is very important, especially to the club. It’s always been run on a shoestring budget and I’d like to give something to the club.
“The financial implications are important and if we get through it would be good for the chairman and everyone at the club.
“Long Buckby have obviously got a very good record in the Vase and we know it’s going to be a big test.
“But we just need to play well and show our confidence and we won’t go far wrong.”
SILEBY RANGERS
Botterill ready for biggest game
Sileby boss Glenn Botterill is preparing his side for a ‘massive test’ as they take on big-hitters Oadby Town this weekend.
Oadby possess plenty of firepower with former Premier League players Matty Piper and Jon Stevenson in their ranks.
The ex-Leicester City duo, 31 and 29 respectively, are currently punching below their weight as their ambitious step six side look to make a rapid rise up the non-League pyramid.
But Sileby have high hopes of their own and currently sit just a point behind the table-toppers, after five wins from six games.
“This is the biggest game in division one so far,” declared Botterill. “If you go by what everyone tells us we might as well not turn up.
“But we’re extremely decent as well and I’m really looking forward to it. It will show us where we are at this stage of the season.
“It’s a massive test. You don’t play against Premier League players every week and we know they’ve got some proper players there.
“It’s going to be tough but we love it when we’re seen as the underdogs.”
While Oadby can boast former Premier League players - Sunderland paid £3.5m for Piper in 2002 - Sileby have UCL Premier Division title winners in their squad.
And Botterill believes his big-game players can shine on the big occasion once again.
He said: “I’ve signed big-game players and they step up when I need them to.
“It’s a challenge for us to see how far we’ve come and we’ll give it our best shot.”
UCL FIXTURES
FA VASE
First round: Deeping v Quorn, Dereham v Stewarts & Lloyds, Dunkirk v Boston Town, Ely City v Eynesbury, Long Buckby v Northampton Spencer, Shepshed Dynamo v Blidworth Welfare, Spalding v Retford, Sutton Town v Sleaford, Swaffham v Desborough, Yaxley v AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
Premier Division: AFC Kempston v Cogenhoe, Blackstones v St Ives, Holbeach v Huntingdon, Peterborough Northern Star v Irchester, Wellingborough Town v Harborough.
Division One: Bugbrooke v Bourne, Burton PW v Thrapston, Harrowby v Buckingham, ON Chenecks v Rushden & Higham, Sileby v Oadby, Raunds v Potton, Rothwell Corinthians v Wootton Blue Cross.
Reserve Division One: Huntingdon v Stewarts & Lloyds, Whitworth v Peterborough Northern Star.
Reserve Division Two: Eynesbury v Burton PW.
Reserve Supplementary Cup, group one: Cogenhoe v Olney, Woodford United v ON Chenecks.
Group two: Rushden & Higham v AFC Kempston, Thrapston v Raunds.
Group three: Bourne v Blackstones. Group four: Harborough v Rothwell Corinthians, Oadby v Desborough.
NFA LOWER JUNIOR CUP
First round: Irchester Res v Bugbrooke Res.
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