TAFFY Richardson insists Poole Town should have no fear ahead of their tantalising last-16 tie against FA Vase favourites Spennymoor.

The Wessex League champions will go into the fifth round clash against their Northern League counterparts on February 5 tagged as underdogs.

Spennymoor, who walloped Cadbury Heath 5-1 away in the fourth round, have been installed as 5-2 favourites to lift the Vase by bookmakers SkyBet.

Poole, at 10-1, are listed behind Vase holders Whitley Bay (7-2), St Neots (7-2) and King’s Lynn (8-1).

Richardson said: “It’s an interesting draw because, with King’s Lynn given a possible home match against St Neots, four of the top five could meet.

“I don’t think we should have any hang ups about Spennymoor being touted as favourites.

“You’ve got to beat the best sides to win the Vase, and I just look back to when we won it with Wimborne.

“We had Hastings in the fourth round when they were flying high at the top of the Southern League Southern Division.

“Everyone felt we, as a Wessex League team, didn’t have a chance, especially after we’d been held 3-3 at home. But we beat them 2-1 away and went on to win the whole thing.

“So my message to our players is ‘don’t be afraid’, whoever we play.”

Richardson, a 44-year-old fireman, hails from north-east England but has lived on the south coast for the past 25 years.

He said: “I don’t really know much about Spennymoor now, although I played against them in the Northern League when I was younger.

“They’re always difficult games at this stage, but we have to be strong, confident and arrogant against them.”

Poole, who beat St Ives Town 3-2 in the last 32 on Saturday, travel to Alresford in the Wessex Premier tonight (7.45pm).

Fourth-placed Dolphins are aiming to dig into Winchester City’s 16-point lead over them at the top.

Full Vase fifth round draw: Whitley Bay v Dunstable, Coalville v Holbrook Sports or Lancing, Torpoint v Billingham Synthonia, Poole v Spennymoor, Leverstock Green v Rye United, Leiston v Long Buckby, King’s Lynn v Gresley or St Neots, Stansted v Dunston UTS.

SkyBet odds to win Vase: 5-2 Spennymoor. 7-2 Whitley Bay, St Noets. 8-1 King’s Lynn. 10-1 Poole. 12-1 Coalville, Leiston. 16-1 Dunston, Gresley. 20-1 Rye, Long Buckby, Stansted. 25-1 Dunstable, Billingham, Leverstock, Torpoint. 40-1 Lancing. 66-1 Holbrook.