LITTLE Oakley boss Sean Tynan is looking forward to a milestone day for his club – and keen to exorcise the demons of dark one from last season.
The Acorns are preparing to stage their first-ever home match in the FA Vase when Hadleigh United visit the Memorial Ground on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
It promises to be a big occasion for Tynan’s men, who have started the new Thurlow Nunn League division one south campaign with a flourish – four wins from seven matches - and currently sit second, behind leaders Halstead Town.
However, it’s not the club’s first foray into the Vase, having travelled to Tower Hamlets last September and been thumped 10-1.
Stephen Polley’s goal was scant consolation and Tynan is keen to exorcise the demons on Saturday.
“I’m so excited about the Vase game,” he said.
“It’s our first-ever home match in the competition, having gone to Tower Hamlets last season and got smashed 10-1.
“That was an amazing day.
“We took a lot of fans but just about everything that could go wrong did go wrong.
“They scored right at the start and within three or four minutes we were 3-1 down.
“Hopefully it’ll be a very different story this weekend.
“Everyone’s available so it’ll be a tough one for me because obviously everyone will want to play in the Vase.
“We’re looking for a big crowd to gee the boys on and there’s also the financial reward, which would make such a difference to a club like ours.
“We’re going in the right direction which is the main thing.
“We’re enjoying it at the moment.
“We’ve put a lot of hard work in and it’s nice to get the rewards.”
Oakley kept their bright form going with a 1-0 success at previous leaders White Ensign on Saturday.
Matthew Geen scored their second-half winner.
“I’m pleased for the boys because they worked really hard in pre-season and have taken on board everything we told them,” added Tynan.
“This time last season we were struggling near the bottom of the table and looking for a win.
“When you’re getting beaten most weeks you start to question yourself and ask yourself if you’re doing the right things.
“Now we’ve got some momentum and there’s a buzz around the club.
“We’re happy to keep a low profile, keep doing what we’re doing and see where it takes us.
“We’ve got no superstars and everyone’s in it together. They all enjoy it here.
"Saturday was a big win as it's not an easy place to go.
"White Ensign's pitch is difficult to play on and very small, but the three points made it all worthwhile."
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