BOSS Jason Phillips insists Swanage Town & Herston will have “nothing to lose” when they embark on the next stage of their FA Vase adventure.

Swans, the lowest-ranked team left in the competition, host the club’s biggest game for 20 years when they face Newport in the first round tomorrow (3pm).

The Isle of Wight-based Wessex Premier outfit will head to Day’s Park as hot favourites to progress against Phillips’s Dorset Premier League strugglers.

Newport, formerly a Southern League club, are two steps above Swans in the non-league pyramid and have lost just once.

Swans booked their place in the first round proper after recording convincing 3-0 wins against Wessex One Andover New Street and US Portsmouth in qualifying.

“I want the players to come off the pitch with no regrets,” said Phillips. “We have got nothing to lose because Newport are expected to win. I want our lads to play good football, chase them down and use every ounce of energy. All I ask is that they give everything.”

Phillips added: “We had them watched when they played Verwood a couple of weeks ago and one of their strikers scored five goals so we will have to keep an eye on him!

“A friend of mine plays for Christchurch and they won at Newport a week ago. He said they were a good side but were beatable. We will just have to see what happens.”

Swans have, however, been rocked by the departure of striker Liam Currell, the two-goal hero of their win over US Portsmouth in the first qualifying round last month. He has joined Dorset Premier high-fliers Hamworthy Recreation. Aaron Corby may also be unavailable should he opt not to become cup-tied so he can play for Poppies in a later round.

Swans met Newport in their first season in the FA Vase in 1977 when the teams battled out an epic first round tie which took two replays to decide in Newport’s favour. Newport also prevailed 6-1 in a 1990 preliminary round clash before Swans reached the second round the following season.

  • New Milton Town will be hoping to build on their first Wessex Premier win of the season against Horndean six days ago when they host Alton Town in the first round at Fawcett’s Field (3pm).

Linnets: (from) Hookway, Blackburn, Pidgley, Barge, Curtis, Morris, Whitcher, Booker, De’ath, Donaldson, Molloy, Fox, Mullins, Ramos, Sampays, Holland, Tanner.

  • Wessex Premier leaders Christchurch host Horndean at Hurn Bridge.

Priory: (from) Collins, Thompson, Taylor, Legg, Lloyd, Yelland, Cullen, Smith, Burt, Burden, Osborne, Cornick, Cook, Griffin, Kittle, Frampton.

  • The prize money on offer in the first round is £900.