JOINT manager of Hamworthy Recreation Kirk Grice has labelled his side’s debut in the FA Vase as “massive” ahead of their first ever game in the national competition.

After a play-off finish in their debut Wessex League season last term, Rec will welcome another first for the club when they begin their FA Vase campaign on Friday night at home to Fawley AFC (7.45pm).

Sides in the ninth and tenth tier are eligible to compete in the FA Vase, which starts off regionalised in its early stages before becoming a national affair, culminating in a final at Wembley.

Hamworthy Rec start off in the first qualifying round, with winning sides advancing to the second and final stage of qualifying as well as receiving £550 in prize money.

Sides knocked out at this stage will receive £160.

Asked how he was feeling ahead of the contest with divisional rivals Fawley, Grice told the Daily Echo: “Well, for me personally, I'm absolutely buzzing because it's my first time in the dugout in the FA Vase.

“I'm happy with that, looking forward to that.

“One of the reasons why I stuck with it and wanted to go up was to be involved in days like tomorrow.

“For the club, it's massive because it's our first ever FA Vase game and it's at home as well.

“Getting it on Friday night will be a massive help as well, hopefully try and get some people in.

“I'm hoping that we have as good a run as we can in the Vase.

“I'm the joint manager with Wayne Smith, and Wayne had that with when he was at Christchurch, he's had quite a successful run.

“Quite a few of the lads that have come in from New Milton have had a good run as well and for some of the younger lads it's their first Vase game as well.

“So we're hoping that we can at least get a few games in.”

The Vase tie also serves as Rec’s first home game of the campaign, having played all five of their competitive fixtures away from their Magna Road home due to scheduling conflicts with the cricket team.

However, Hamworthy Rec had not missed their home comforts, taking 13 from a possible 15 points to leave them second in the embryonic Wessex Division One table.

“We’ve had five away from home to start with again because we share with the cricket,” explained Grice.

“To come away with four wins in a draw from the first five away, we're pretty pleased with that.

“The form hasn't been particularly great - performances haven't been amazing - but to get the results has been absolutely crucial.

“So, in quite good spirits at the moment."