NEW College assistant manager Matt Cosnett is hoping that his young players catch a glimpse of the level they should aspire to when they lock horns with former Southern League outfit Thatcham Town in the FA Vase this weekend.

Progressing past the first qualifying round in only their third-ever Vase campaign looks a daunting task for College as they travel to Waterside Park on Saturday as the underdogs.

Thatcham, who resigned from the Southern League at the end of the 2013-2014 season, are currently joint-top of the Hellenic League Premier Division but Cosnett is hoping that his young team can play without fear.

“It’s going to be a really tough test but there shouldn’t be any fear from our lads – the pressure is all on Thatcham because if they slip up, it won’t look good for them,” said the College assistant.

“It’s a good opportunity for us because it shows the lads what the next level up is, the level that they should be looking to get to themselves.

“We may have to switch the squad around a bit because we’ve got the preliminary round of the FA Youth Cup on Monday away to Cheltenham Town on their first-team pitch and that’s a really big game for us.

“But I’ve got a funny feeling about this one. I think it might be decided in the second half and you never know - we might just be able to nick it.”

Midfielder Antonio Gerrish is an injury doubt for College ahead of their Thatcham test.

Elsewhere, Fairford Town are also set to take on opposition from the league above as they host Ardley United in the first qualifying round whilst Shrivenham are at home to Division One East Reading Town.

Meanwhile, Royal Wootton Bassett Town will go looking to bounce back from their 2-0 derby defeat at the hands of Highworth on Bank Holiday Monday as they Premier Division rivals Binfield, who are currently a place above them in tenth in the table, Paul Braithwaite’s men will be without suspended defender George Drewitt.