POPPIES will be on a revenge mission when they do battle with Melksham Town in the first round of the FA Vase at Victoria Park tomorrow (3pm).

The Western League Premier Division high-fliers thrashed Poppies 8-1 in the second qualifying round in 2014 – the Dorset club’s heaviest defeat in the competition.

Poppies’ chief tormentor in Wiltshire two years ago was Gary Higdon who netted five times in the rout, including a hat-trick in the opening 48 minutes.

Higdon, one of the most prolific goalscorers in Western League history, is again set to line up for Melksham having scored 14 times this season.

Melksham will play their 17th away game of the season, with a delay over the finishing of a new ground restricting them to just two at home.

Poppies, quarter-finalists in 2011-12, go into the tie in good form following just one defeat in seven, including wins over Verwood and Brockenhurst in the FA Vase.

Wessex One newcomers Shaftesbury travel to AFC Stoneham in the first round.

Meanwhile, Verwood will be looking to end a run of three successive league defeats when they travel to Bashley in Wessex Premier (3pm).

The Potters, beaten 4-0 by Alresford in the Sydenhams League Cup on Wednesday, are four points adrift at the foot of the table.

Also in Wessex Premier, Brockenhurst host Whitchurch (2pm), Lymington travel to Cowes and Hamworthy United visit Moneyfields (both 3pm).

In Wessex One, Christchurch, who lost on penalties to Bush Hill in the Russell-Cotes Cup on Wednesday, host East Cowes Vics, Ringwood entertain Laverstock & Ford and New Milton visit US Portsmouth (all 3pm).