Tiptree United are just two games away from reaching the final of the second biggest non-league competition in the country.

Only AFC Sudbury stand between the Jam-makers and the Carlsberg FA Vase final at Villa Park.

The Suffolk side are the defending Jewson League champions and again top the table.

Tiptree manager Neil Farlie said: "We have got to respect the firepower that Sudbury have got. We can get players behind the ball but to win games you have to score goals so we will look to hit them on the break.

"Hopefully, our youth and fitness will wear Sudbury down. We have got to be party-poopers."

And they have proved beyond doubt that they are capable of it in this year's Vase.

"We went to Pickering and restricted their goalscoring. We did the same with Taunton Town and Burgess Hill Town who were banging in the goals in their respective leagues," added Farlie.

"We even went to Sudbury last season when we were struggling for points and forced a 0-0 draw.

"We will have to be cautious, but take our chances at the same time.

"Reputations don't stand for a lot in the Vase. We've already shown that by beating the holders.

"All form goes out of the window hopefully our league form does as well!"

The sides have met three times this season, and Sudbury have taken the honours in all three, cracking home nine goals without reply.

But the Jam-makers, who have only claimed one point in the league this year, have surpassed all expectations in the Vase.

And they will be given two cracks at Sudbury in the two-legged semi-final, with the first game at Sudbury tomorrow.

Published Friday, March 22, 2002