WAYNE Goodison has warned 1874 Northwich’s players they must improve on their performance in the previous round if they want to progress in the FA Vase.

They take on Chichester City at Wincham Park tomorrow, when a place in the last eight is a prize on offer to the victor.

A 3-1 win against Pontefract Collieries at the same venue set up this weekend’s encounter.

“We have to be better than we were then,” said the co-manager.

“I don’t think we played to the level that we’re capable, certainly with the ball, even though we were organised and disciplined.

“That was partly due to adjusting to different surroundings because we’d not played at Witton before – something which doesn’t apply this weekend.

“We’ll be looking to impose ourselves on them.

“That’s when we’re at our best, and we can cause any opponent problems.

“I felt we perhaps took a little too long to do that when we played Pontefract, who played a direct style that perhaps pinned us back a bit more than we’d have liked.”

Chichester travel north from West Sussex in impressive form after winning their past five matches in all competitions.

They won a fourth-round encounter on the road too, at Horley.

Their manager, Miles Rutherford, has said this week that he considers the Chi, as they are referred to by their supporters, as underdogs to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Goodison said: “I’ve read that.

“However at this stage of a national competition, when you’ve got two sides from different leagues playing against each other, then nobody will be an overwhelming favourite.

“If us playing at home gives us an edge in some people’s eyes, then so be it.

“We don’t ever dwell too much on what our opponents are going to do; we’ve made the players aware of what we’ve found out about Chichester from doing our homework, and hopefully that can help us in a small way.

“I think it’s 50-50 on who gets through, and of greater importance will be how each team responds to the occasion.”

With the exception of Kyle Riley, who is suspended, Goodison and joint-manager Paul Bowyer have everybody to pick from.

That includes recent recruits Rory Fallon and Shelton Payne, who has returned to the club for a second spell.

Goodison said: “Selection has been a headache, that’s for sure.

“Training was lively on Thursday night, and it’s obvious the players are excited even though one or two are going to be disappointed when they’re not involved.

“We’ve told them we’re made up that they’ve reached this stage, and to enjoy having an opportunity to go further in a national knockout competition.

“We don’t want the run to end just yet either.”