Why should I watch..?

To see if Northwich Victoria can surprise Histon in the same way they did Newcastle Benfield in the previous round.

Vics make the trip to Cambridge buoyed by winning their past three matches in the North West Counties League’s top-flight as well as progressing through five stages to make it to the FA Vase last 16 for the first time.

They will be greeted by hosts who remain in contention to win the Eastern Counties League Premier Division title and who have won every FA Vase tie on home turf this season.

However the Stutes, managed by former Vics goalkeeper Lance Key, did lose 2-1 at Woodbridge Town last weekend.

What they’ve said

“We’ve made history by getting this far; so to go to the last eight would be another step in the right direction.

“We lost last Saturday, but you couldn’t get a better game to bounce back.

“It’s probably the biggest match for our club since they played Leeds United in the FA Cup in 2008.”

Lance Key, Histon manager

“Newcastle hadn’t been to watch us and expected us to roll over.

“Will Histon make that mistake? I doubt it.

“I know their manager described it as a plum tie after the draw was made but I don’t take much notice of stuff like that.”

Steve Wilkes, Northwich Victoria manager

Numbers game

Histon have played 18 home games this season and lost only once – to higher-ranked King’s Lynn Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round

It’s an important afternoon for…

Vics’ back four and goalkeeper

Newcastle’s Mark Turnbull became the first player to score against Northwich in the FA Vase this season when he reduced Benfield’s arrears in a game they trailed 3-0.

Steve Wilkes’ side had kept five clean-sheets before that, going close to nine hours without conceding.

They will be tested by free-scoring opponents who have found the net more than 2.5 times a game on average in the Eastern Counties League to date.

Vics team news

Manager Steve Wilkes expects to have everybody available, save for long-term injury absentees John Bennett (knee) and John Connolly (groin).

Kirtis Monson has left this week to sign for Padiham.

Newcomers Lewis Brownhill and Michael Roddy are both eligible to play should they be selected.

Form (past six in all competitions)

Histon L W W W D W

Vics W W W L L W

Route to this round

Histon R4 bt Lye Town (h) 2-1; R3 bt Leverstock Green (h) 5-1; R2 Woodbridge Town (h) 5-4; R1 (r) bt Colney Heath (h) 2-0

Vics R4 bt Newcastle Benfield (a) 3-2 R3 bt Silsden (h) 3-0; R2 bt Prestwich Heys (h) 1-0 (r); R1 bt Cammell Laird (h) 5-0; 2QR bt Maltby Main (h) 2-0

Last season in FA Vase

Histon Second Qualifying Round

Vics First Qualifying Round

Remember when…

Northwich Victoria travelled to Histon for the first time to play an FA Trophy tie on this weekend in 2007?

Curiously, a 2-1 victory sent them through to the quarter-finals o that competition.

Michael Carr was the visitors’ match-winner, coming off the bench to equalise when he diverted Paul Brayson’s shot past goalkeeper Lance Key – now Histon’s manager.

His pass then sent Brayson clear to score the winner.

The Guardian was there, and this is how we reported it: Histon 1-2 Vics: match report

Odds (Bet Victor)

Histon 4/5

Draw 10/3

Vics 2/1

Essential information

When Saturday, February 2

Kick- off 3pm

Address The Glassworld Stadium, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9PH

Admission Adults £8, Concessions £5, Under 16s £1, Accompanied under fives Free

Replay date Saturday, February 9 (ko 3pm)

Prize money Winners £2,250; Losers £750