Essex Senior League club have had long period without competitive match, but remain confident ahead of Saturday’s tie

Imrul Gazi believes Sporting Bengal United are more than capable of reaching the second round of the FA Vase this weekend.

The Essex Senior League club host Southall at the Mile End Stadium on Saturday with the winner earning £675 in prize money.

Bengal beat the Spartan South Midlands League Division One outfit in the same round last season and are hoping history repeats itself.

Gazi said: “I’ve done a bit of research and know a few of their ex-players and they are in the same league as Brimsdown and we faced them in pre-season.

“Southall drew 2-2 with Brimsdown last month so I was able to speak with the Brimsdown manager and find out a few of Southall’s strengths and weaknesses.

“But I always go back to the same thing and it is all about us and if we play our strongest then any team we face is going to struggle.”

The east Londoners have earned a lot of plaudits this season in the FA Cup and now the Vase, but are playing catch up in the league.

Gazi is desperate for his team to progress to the next round on Saturday and not need a replay to go through against Southall.

Bengal are set to visit Takeley on Tuesday (October 25), which would be only their 11th match in the division while their opponents have already got through 17 fixtures.

“We have Takeley next week so the last thing we want is a replay and another league postponement,” he added.

“We want to finish it off on the day against Southall and we are at home so we need to make the most of that.

“The one thing on my mind and the players is getting through to the next round and we are not contemplating a replay or anything like that.”