AFC Liverpool boss Chris Anderson expressed his excitement at the chance to create more history for the Non-League Reds.
Their win over Pilkington in the last round saw them progress to the furthest round in the competition as Luke Stephens scored the all-important goal.
They travel to Manchester on Saturday as they face North West Counties Division One North side Abbey Hey in the fourth round.
It currently leaves them five rounds off a trip to Wembley with the win moving them a step closer to the Arch.
With no game due to adverse weather last weekend, AFC go into the clash on the back of a resounding 5-0 win over Litherland REMYCA with Jesse Dowling scoring a brace.
Anderson was left delighted with the showing and although slightly disappointed to not get minutes in his AFC Liverpool player’s legs, he’s happy to see them go into the cup tie on a high.
“Really excited a chance to see if we can make history once more, just really excited to play in the FA Vase,” he told Off The Park.
“Financially it helps, it’s not massive as the FA Cup is more, the finances will help us obviously. It’s a chance to get to the last eight of a National competition so it’s another level for players to see if they compete at and where they’re at. It’s massive for all parties.
“It’d been nice to have a game, at the same time we could’ve played that game, we might not have got the result we wanted, performed the way we wanted, that might’ve hindered us even more. We’re still running high off the last game and the performance we put in so confidence should be high.
“We have to be up for it. We understand they’ll have their qualities, they’re doing well in their league, alright they’re in the league below but it’s a cup competition so it’s a one-off game. We know they’ll be bang up for it, we will be too, it’ll be a tough game but we’re ready.
“Probably say the biggest game as a manager, being in the position that we’ve made history for the club, that’s something I’ve always wanted to make.
“It’s a massive game but it’s an old cliche, play the game not occasion, I’ve done the prep with my management to make sure we’re prepared, hopefully the boys are the same and we can put a performance in and get through to the next round.”
Abbey Hey are pushing for promotion and sit third in the table, they hold significant firepower, something Anderson has monitored.
“They’re a resilient, hardworking team, they’ve got players who’ve scored 20+ goals this season so they know where the goal is, they’re quite direct, they’ll play with pace.
“There is a lot I’m aware of although I haven’t watched them week-in, week-out. They’re a Manchester-based team so it’ll be a Merseyside vs Manchester derby game so it’ll be a heated one at that.”
[Featured image: Dave Williams]
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