FA CARLSBERG Vase assignments don't come much tougher than those landed by the Jewson Wessex League's last two survivors AFC Totton and Cowes Sports.

Yet Messrs Ian Robinson and Derek Ohren from Testwood and Westwood Parks refuse to be intimidated by the prospect of meeting the competition's two favourites in a daunting last 16 draw.

After a string of home ties, Robinson's Totton side face an awesome 700-mile round trip to Bedlington Terriers who will be keen to go one better after losing 1-0 to Tiverton in last year's Wembley final.

Cowes at least have home advantage against Taunton Town, but the Somerset side are frighteningly formidable opposition having reached the semi-finals for the last two seasons and finished runners-up to Diss back in 1993/94.

Totton fell way below their best when squeezing past Horsham YMCA 1-0 on Saturday, but Robinson insists: "There's something about us this year and I fancy us to do well up there. We may not be everything you could desire football-wise, but we're extremely difficult to break down.

"Obviously Bedlington are going to be tough to beat on their patch, but there are no easy teams left at this stage and cup games are one-off occasions. I'm feeling very positive about our chances."

Cowes came through an ugly tie 1-0 against Tilbury on the Island and, as far as Ohren is concerned, the visit from Taunton can only be an improvement on Saturday's scenes when police were called in to douse a half-time flare-up.

"Taunton are a good footballing side and that will suit us," he said. "Tilbury came here to kick us off the park and they brought around 100 supporters who were all beered up before they got in the ground.

"I moved to the other side of the pitch because whenever I shouted out I was being threatened. They also threatened our secretary, who only does the job for love. It got so bad that several parents took their kids home at half-time."

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