STANWAY ROVERS boss Angelo Harrop says no stone has been left unturned in his side’s quest for FA Vase glory against Saffron Walden.

The Thurlow Nunn League pair – Rovers are seventh in the premier division and their visitors second in division one – are preparing for today’s eagerly-anticipated last-32 tie at The Hawthorns.

A bumper crowd of around 400 is expected, with coach-loads of supporters travelling across the county to support the Bloods.

Harrop says he and his players are relishing the sense of occasion and feels they have done everything possible in terms of preparation.

“We’re as ready as we’ll ever be,” said the former Colchester United youth-teamer.

“We couldn’t have done anything more, in terms of fitness work, pure preparation and doing our homework on Saffron Walden.

“We’ve had them watched and know how tough it’s going to be.

“They’re a very good side – as good as any in the premier division – and you don’t get this far in a national competition if you’re not a quality team.

“But we’ve waited a long time for this day and will be doing everything in our power to make sure we get the right result.

“It’s been tricky concentrating on the league and I asked the players to put it to the back of their minds.

“We even had a little fines system to make it a bit of fun, to encourage them to stay focused on the league.

“But it’s human nature to be excited by a tie like this and now it’s finally arrived, we can’t wait.

“I can’t remember the last time there was such excitement around the club and we want this every week – not just as a one-off.”

Harrop is expecting a few butterflies among his players.

But he says that can be a good thing, if they can channel the nervous energy into their performances.

“It’s a massively important game and for some of our players, especially the younger ones, it’ll be the biggest they’ve been involved in,” said the Rovers boss, whose side maintained their promotion push with a stunning, last-gasp victory at Felixstowe & Walton last Saturday.

“I’m sure they’ll be nervous but I want them to feel that way, because it shows it means something to them.

“Hopefully they’ll use the butterflies to give them that little extra energy.

“We’re also lucky to have some very experienced players in our squad, like Ray Turner, Danny Slatter, Karl Duguid and Pip Boyland.

“In addition to their own performances, they know one of the reasons we brought them in was to help and guide the young lads.”

Harrop says success today would be the biggest achievement of his short managerial career.

He said: “I was lucky enough to have some great days as a player, with the likes of Needham Market, Leiston and Stanway.

“But if we win tomorrow, it would be my biggest success as a manager.

“It would be great and it would also do wonders for our promotion push, because confidence would be sky-high.”

Mike Fondop-Talun is suspended for today’s game but otherwise it is a fully-fit squad.