MALMESBURY Victoria chairman Phil Exton would love to see his club continue their recovery with another feat of heroics in the FA Vase.

Despite dropping down from the Hellenic League at the end of the 2013-2014 campaign due to financial troubles caused by the chronic flooding of the Flying Monk Ground, the Vics still took part in the Vase last term.

After beating Hellenic League Premier Division outfit Bracknell Town 3-2, Malmesbury reached the first round proper of the national competition, losing 5-3 to Western League outfit Bradford Town, and Alan Griffin’s side are back in second round qualifying action again this Saturday.

This time, Farnham Town, who ply their trade two tiers higher than the Wiltshire League Vics in the Combined Counties League Premier Division, will be visiting the Flying Monk and Exton has his fingers crossed that his team can pull off another relative giant-killing.

“We’re still eligible to enter the FA Vase and I don’t understand why more teams from the Wiltshire League don’t do it,” said the Malmesbury chairman.

“I think the players are all excited for it and I know that a lot of people off the field are too – we’ve been averaging crowds of over 60 for league games this season, so maybe we can get into triple digits on Saturday.

“I know that people look forward to the FA Vase because it’s a big competition and there’s that little chance that, if things really go your way, you could run out at Wembley. The prize money (£800 for second round qualifying) is a big incentive too.

“We beat Bracknell last season and then we did really well to go close against Bradford after playing almost the whole game with 10 men.

“Hopefully we can do it again this weekend and progress.”

Reigning Wiltshire League champions Malmesbury, whose player-manager Griffin has netted 18 goals in nine league appearances this season, are planning to apply for promotion this term, with both the Hellenic and Western Leagues possible destinations.