Smith: beware the high-rollers from the 'Vegas of the North'

The Vodkat League side are based near Blackpool '“ dubbed the 'Vegas of the North'. And the Crows' north-west opponents certainly give the impression of being high rollers of their own.

The winners of tomorrow's crunch tie go through to the quarter finals '“ with potentially just two victories separating them from a memorable day out at Wembley.

Kirkham have been priced a whopping 4/1 by bookies to win the crunch tie '“ with Crowborough named as heavy 4/7 odds-on favourites.

But Kirkham this signed ex-Blackpool pros Matt Shaw and Scott Metcalfe in a bid to strengthen their squad ahead of their trip to Sussex.

And the Lancashire outfit will travel south in style, after they secured the use of Blackburn Rovers' team coach for the journey.

Smith said, "They have got a millionaire chairman throwing money at them.

"He built their ground on his own farmland.

"They have obviously got some good players. It's going to be a very tough game for us."

Smith said Kirkham were similar to last year's Vase winners, Truro.

"They are very much heading along the lines of Truro City.

"They may be at a lower standard but they are obviously looking to climb and climb and climb.

"And, like Kirkham, Truro were only Step 6 last year as well.

"But we've been in good form of late and, hopefully with home advantage we can go through.

But we're under no illusions '“ it's going to be tough. We'll give it our best shot."

Smith said he had high hopes of a bumper crowd at the Alderbrook.

"We're hoping for a crowd of about 500. That would be nice," he said.

Smith admitted that the absence of the suspended Justin Harris was "a big blow for us". Tom Body will deputise.

Looking ahead to Tuesday's game at home to Hassocks, Smith said, "We always have difficult games with Hassocks.

"You don't expect it to be any different.

"They are always in the top six or seven every season.

"It is difficult having a game on a Tuesday after a Vase game.

"But we've just got to make sure that we're right and ready for Tuesday."