The Reds have a FA Vase final at Wembley in their sights, but first they must overcome Kirkham & Wesham in a first leg semi-final tie in Lancashire tomorrow (ko 3pm).

Top goalscorer Craig Parker, who has netted 31 goals so far this season from central midfield, and commanding centre-back Scott Wark are both struggling to make the starting line-up for the big game following knee and calf injuries respectively.

Parker is undergoing intensive treatment from club physio Pat Alexander and their fitness will be tested during a final training session at Bloomfields today.

"For the biggest games, you need your best players and Craig has certainly been one of our best players this season," said team manager Danny Laws.

"We are desperate to have him fit because he has been our driving force and match-winner on so many occasions."

At this stage of the competition a tightly-contested tie is anticipated and experience is likely to be key to the eventual result.

While Kirkham & Wesham continue to battle against the odds in their first- ever FA Vase campaign, Needham boast nine players who featured in Bury Town's semi-final clash in 2006.

Rhys Barber, Richard Butler, Jay Denniss, James Evans, Lewis Pemberton, Glenn Snell, Danny Thrower, Ben Wake and Parker all missed out on the chance of a Vase final when Bury were defeated by Hillingdon Borough.

"I know that the players who featured in that are desperate not to fall at the semi-final stage again," said Laws.

"I believe this will be critical and should work to our advantage."
Following the training session, Needham face a five-hour coach trip to the North West knowing the task ahead is a difficult one.

Despite being a step six side, Kirkham have defeated some strong teams en-route to the semi-final, scoring 22 goals and conceding only five.

The North West Counties Division Two outfit are third in the table, but with games in hand over both clubs above them.

"There is little doubt that we are in for an extremely tough battle," said Laws.

"But, if we can avoid defeat in the first leg and take them back to Bloomfields on level terms, then I will be confident of finishing the job."

The Reds will need to be more ruthless in front of goal after suffering two surprise Ridgeons League Premier Division home defeats this week.

On Saturday, lowly Swaffham caused a shock following a 5-2 win (match report on page 71), before some woeful finishing saw Needham slip to a 2-1 defeat against Woodbridge Town on Tuesday.

"We created a hatful of chances in both matches but just could not finish them," added Laws.

"While the league title is still a priority, we have got to forget about those two defeats and focus on reaching Wembley."

Needham Market host Histon Reserves on Easter Monday (ko 3pm), before the return leg against Kirkham & Wesham at Bloomfields next Saturday.

Meanwhile striker Ben Cranfield has joined Ridgeons League Division One promotion hopefuls Whitton Utd on loan until the end of the season.

Stowmarket Town FC bid to extend their best Ridgeons League Division One run of the season to five straight wins in the next five days.

Following a convincing 4-1 win at Long Melford on Saturday (match report on page 71), Stow travel to Great Yarmouth tomorrow (ko 3pm), before entertaining Thetford Town on Wednesday (ko 7.45pm).

Team manager Louis Newman said, "Confidence is sky high at the minute. Everybody is playing with a belief and we are determined to keep this run going."

Tom Dellar, brother of striker Phil, has joined the Greens Meadow-based club from Ipswich Wanderers.