WHEN West Wiltshire rivals Bradford Town and Melksham Town step onto the pitch at Trowbridge Road on Saturday afternoon, opposite numbers Paul Shanley and Darren Perrin will be in no doubt that their sides are about to play the biggest game in their respective histories.

Bradford and Melksham have reached the last 32 of the FA Vase for the first time and are set to do battle in their biggest-ever local derby as they duke it out for the right to move four games from Wembley (kick-off 3pm).

Hosts Bradford ran out comfortable 3-0 winners when the two teams met in the Toolstation League Premier Division on Boxing Day and despite managers Shanley and Perrin having different ideas over which team carries the underdog tag, the pair are in agreement that tomorrow’s Vase showpiece will be an occasion to savour.

“I think it’s fair to say that the result on Boxing Day is irrelevant. The game is a one-off and Melksham will have a different side to the one they had that day,” said Bradford boss Shanley.

“We’re massive underdogs going in to the game. Melksham have a fantastic side, with some experienced players that have played in the Southern League and a good manager in Darren.

“They’ve been in the league for a few years whilst this is our first season in the division – we have to hope they have an off-day.

“They’re used to playing in front of a big crowd but we should hopefully have a few of our own fans turn out because it’s the biggest game in our history. We’re looking forward to it and it’s a chance for some of my players to make their mark.”

Bradford are currently seventh in the Premier Division table whilst Melksham are second, a point behind league leaders Bristol Manor Farm.

Conigre chief Perrin said: “It’s the biggest game in Melksham history – it’s probably even bigger than when we had to beat Yeovil to win the league in our last game of the season back when I was manager the first time (in 1997).

“Bradford destroyed us on Boxing Day. But there’ll be a shock somewhere in the FA Vase on Saturday and hopefully, it can be us.

“We’ll probably bring 300-400 followers and I’ve never known this much local support get behind a team, even when I was at Forest Green.

“At the end of the day, there will be a side from the Western League in the last 16 of the FA Vase.

“A side from Wiltshire will get through and Highworth Town could be there too. I think there hasn’t been a local side go as far as we have since Chippenham Town went all the way to the final (in 2000).

“If Bradford beat us on the day, I’ll wish them and Paul Shanley all the best and hope they go all the way.”

Melksham triumphed over Bradford on penalties when the two teams last met in cup competition in last season’s Wiltshire Senior Cup final.