NORTH East Counties Division One high flyers Campion AFC will be putting their promotion hopes to one side this weekend as they prepare for another campaign in the FA Vase.

They take on Lancashire outfit Bacup Borough at the Players Cars Stadium in the first round of the competition today-fresh from their breathtaking 3-1 victory away at fellow promotion hopefuls Rossington Main last time out.

James Bicknall’s side are currently unbeaten in their previous 21 outings and will welcome North West Counties side Bacup Borough who are currently ninth in Division One. but will prove to be a very stern test for the Bradford-based side.

Looking ahead to the fixture, Bicknall said: "We are really looking forward to it because the FA Vase is a fantastic competition and we feel privileged to be in it. Some might say the league comes first but we will not. We want to succeed and do our best in every competition we enter; this being no different.

"Not only that, it's a fascinating competition to enter for the club and any Non League club for that matter because it helps bring in revenue, it's exciting and there's a fantastic reward at the end of it if you get that far, which obviously is a trip to Wembley."

Bicknall added: "Yes, we are on a great run in the league and I know some people think that it might take away a bit of momentum from our run, but it's nice to break up league action at points because it allows us to shift our focus. The games are different because you know that a cup is based around knockout football, so it offers different challenges. That's why we like it."

It's the first time Campion have ever been in the first round of the FA Vase and based on their current form, Bicknall is eager for his side to show their worth.

He said: "We've never got this far in the competition before so it presents us with a great opportunity to make a statement in the competition. However, we know that' it's crucial to just take each game as it comes; it's an old cliche but it's definitely the way we should be thinking.

"It's been a very exciting and promising season so far for the club, but we can't get too far ahead of ourselves and rest on our laurels. We've got a talented bunch and I know with the right attitude we can continue in this vain. But as I said, it's important that we stay level headed coming into this competition."

Bicknall added: "We certainly won't be underestimating our opponents either because they're a very good side. Like us, I'm sure they'll be relishing the opportunity to take part in this great competition. On the other hand, we've seen what they can do to us and although we are a better side now, they did beat us twice last season."

Asked if a trip to Wembley is a realistic possibility, Bicknall joked: "It would be dreamlike and it's something we'd absolutely love to achieve.

"However, we can't look that far ahead and right now we need to make sure that Saturday is our only goal."