Wisbech Town suffered a major blow ahead of today's FA Vase third round home tie against VCD Athletic with the surprise exit of sharpshooter Liam Harrold.

Wisbech Town suffered a major blow ahead of today's FA Vase third round home tie against VCD Athletic with the surprise exit of sharpshooter Liam Harrold.

Last season's 36-goal Ridgeons Premier golden boot winner has been snapped up by Conference South outfit Cambridge City.

Fenmen boss Dick Creasey also has a mounting injury crisis ahead of the visit by the Kent Premier League highflyers.

Defender Chris Dear (hamstring) is out. Harrold's one-time strike partner Liam Nimmo (back) and centre back Danny Hussey (stomach) are struggling.

Creasey is expected to include recent ex-Rushden & Diamonds recruit Luke Kennedy.

The 20-year-old had Southern League spells with King's Lynn and Stamford following his Diamonds release earlier this year.

“He's a versatile player with two good feet and I am sure that he will start against VCD,” said Creasey. “Nimmo and Hussey are not 100 per cent fit but we are very short on players and they will have to play through the pain barrier.”

Fakenham bid to extend their record-breaking run in this season's competition at home to UCL side Cogenhoe.

“It's the club's biggest game for a long while,” said Ghosts' joint manager Paul Tong. “From what we know, it's going to be a tough game, but if we play as well as we can, there is no reason we cannot get a result.”

Champions Lowestoft host Spartan South Midland club Welwyn Garden City.

“We want to stay in the Vase as long as possible,” said Blues boss Micky Chapman. “We'll be doing our best to do that, even though Welwyn Garden City will be no pushovers.”

Chapman is without Russell Stock, Gary McGee, Craig Lewis and Dale Cockrill.

Wroxham boss Damian Hilton welcomes back Lee Gilman for a potential 'banana skin' tie at Essex Senior League minnows Burnham Ramblers.

“We've not performed too well against so called underdogs in previous knockout tournaments,” he admitted. “It's important we settle, score early and try to get a comfortable cushion by the break.”

Defender Gavin Pauling (leg) and suspended skipper Justin Fox miss the trip.

Kirkley chief Nick Shorten has four key players missing for the Ridgeons Premier league awayday at King's Lynn Reserves.

Lee Humphries, Rob Horton and Nathan Stone are suspended with Nicky Stokeld (ankle) a major doubt.

The hosts include first team squad men Greg Crane, Stephen Harvey and Sam Gaughran.

First Division fixtures: Godmanchester Rovers v Gorleston, Great Yarmouth Town v Saffron Walden Town, Haverhill Rovers v Downham Town, Long Melford v Thetford Town, Swaffham Town v Walsham-le-Willows.