Paddy Davitt Wroxham spot kick hero Scott Howie insists the Yachtsmen can ill afford to look past Royston Town if they want to prolong their FA Vase quest. David Batch's men yesterday landed a potential quarter-final tie at Suffolk-based Ridgeons Premier rivals Needham Market should they triumph at the Crows on February 27.

Paddy Davitt

Wroxham spot kick hero Scott Howie insists the Yachtsmen can ill afford to look past Royston Town if they want to prolong their FA Vase quest.

David Batch's men yesterday landed a potential quarter-final tie at Suffolk-based Ridgeons Premier rivals Needham Market should they triumph at the Crows on February 27.

The former Norwich City and King's Lynn keeper was unbeatable in a thrilling sudden death penalty shoot out win over Armthorpe Welfare over the weekend in a fourth round replay at Trafford Park.

Now Howie is predicting another stiff test at the Molten Spartan South Midlands outfit ahead of a possible Ridgeons derby date with a place in the last four at stake on February 27.

"We just want to take care of business this week," he said.

"I know it's a clich� but we can only focus on this game. When you start looking too far ahead is when you tend to trip up, so its one game at a time, but this is an exciting period to be at the club.

"I think we beat them (Royston) pre-season but to be honest I don't recall too much about them.

"Any side that has got this far in the competition will be no mugs.

"They will be up for it, we know that, so it's going to be another tough game.

"We're under no illusions about that but we'll prepare properly.

"Regardless of what anyone says all the clubs left in will have half an eye on Wembley and because of that will do all they can in their power to get through.

"You know you're up against 11, 15 or 16 fully committed players so that in itself is a difficult task to surmount without getting too far ahead of yourself."

Howie saved the opening penalty of the shoot out against Welfare to set Wroxham on their way before the visitors blazed two follow up efforts over his crossbar.

"I think there is an awful lot of pressure on the penalty takers," he said.

"The goalkeeper has nothing to lose in those situations and as a goalkeeper any pressure you can put on the taker has to work for you.

"I do kind of have a system but I can't tell you what it is - I think you just do what you can to put the onus on the other guy because it is a very high pressure situation.

"You shouldn't overlook the fact that we scored all our three penalties and they all had the same pressure on their shoulders but the boys stepped up to the mark.

"To win a cup game in that way is fantastic. Now we want to take it on from here starting with a league cup tie at Yarmouth and then the Royston game on Saturday."

Howie admitted Welfare had pushed Norfolk's sole FA Vase survivors to the limit over two pulsating ties which both went to extra time.

"They were probably the best side we have played all season to be fair," he said.

"I think over the two games we played some pretty decent football.

"We had to hang in there at times and managed to just get through at the end.

"They hit the post and the crossbar and maybe luck does come into play a little bit but I believe you have to work hard to create your own luck.

"Over the course of the two ties we had some great chances and their keeper produced some fantastic saves so to be honest if we had lost to a deflected goal towards the end that would have been a bit of a travesty."

The 38-year-old is relishing his Ridgeons stint after a two year spell at The Walks.

"With King's Lynn they were competing in a national league so playing closer to home was something I wanted to try and do," he said.

"It can be tough having to set off on a Friday night for an overnight stay and spending all day Saturday playing and travelling as well, but Wroxham is a big club in this area and I'm thoroughly enjoying myself.

"If you can't enjoy your football then there is something wrong," the keeper added.