Sidmouth Town face arguably the ‘biggest’ game in their history to date tomorrow (Saturday) when they travel up the M5 motorway to meet Western League Premier Division outfit Cadbury Heath in the 1st Round proper of the FA Vase, a competition that sees its final played at Wembley Stadium.

Town warmed up for the game against the Bristol-based side with a 2-1 Devon Premier Cup win under the Manstone Lane floodlights on Wednesday night.

Goals from Ash Small and Will Jenkins put Town 2-0 up against Paignton-based Roselands, who did get a goal back, but could then get the better of the impressive Jake Wreford in the home goal.

Town assistant boss Kevin Tooze said: “We were good value for the win, though, let’s give them [Roselands] some credit, for they made us work hard for a place in the next round.”

The cup tie was the first in a run of three successive cup matches which see Town in three different competitions. After tomorrow’s FA Vase tie there’s a Walter C Parsons Cup tie at home to Axminster Town next Saturday (October 20).

Speaking about the trip to Cadbury Heath, assistant boss Tooze says: “With our game last Saturday at Roselands being called off owing to a waterlogged surface in Paignton, Richard [Town first team manager Richard Pears] jumped in his car and went up to Bristol to take in Cadbury Heath’s Western league 4-1 defeat at home to Wellington.”

Tooze continued: “What Rich saw was a big strong and physical side who will no doubt look to make things difficult for us from the first whistle. However, thanks to the ‘spying mission’ we can now prepare accordingly for what is going to be a tough challenge, but it is certainly one that we can undertake without any fear.

“Let’s face it, every man and his dog up there will expect the home side to win, but we are certainly not going there for a ‘day out’. That’s not in our footballing DNA and we are going to Cadbury Heath looking to continue our FA Vase journey. Having spoken with Richard, I know that, based on what he saw last weekend, and the way we know our side can perform, we will be disappointed not to get something from the game on Saturday!”

Town are set to be at full strength for the big game. Danny Clay did pick up a knock in the Wednesday night win over Roselands.

Tooze says: “Danny [Clay] is a footballing warrior and I’d think it’ll take a very bad knock to keep him out of this one! I know that the mood amongst the lads is one of excitement about being involved in such a game and the very real chance of making a few more headlines.”

Town are set to be well supported up at Cadbury Heath for a coach for the players has been filled up with travelling support. For those set to make the journey up the M5 under their own steam, the Cadbury Heath home ground post code is BS30 8BX. The journey from Manstone Lane to Cadbury Heath is one of 99 miles.

Here’s hoping it’s a happy journey home for the Town faithful.