BULLISH boss Ken Vaughan believes his record-breaking team has the potential to spring a surprise in the “biggest game” in Poppies’ history.

The Bournemouth outfit will be bidding to continue their against-the-odds FA Vase run when they make the mammoth trip to face Billingham Synthonia in the fifth round proper tomorrow (3pm).

Poppies will be competing in the last 16 for the first time in the club’s 137-year history and manager Vaughan is in positive mood ahead of the Glamal Engineering Stadium showdown.

The Synners go into the game as favourites to progress – with Poppies rated as 25-1 outsiders to claim the silverware in the most prestigious non-league competition for teams at step five level and below.

Billingham, who defeated Runcorn in a replay in the last round, play in the highly-regarded Northern League Division One.

But Vaughan is hopeful his Wessex League underdogs can give a good account of themselves in the north east.

He told the Daily Echo: “I think it is the biggest game in the club’s history.

“It is the most prestigious trophy you can win in the Wessex League so given how far we have gone in the competition, it is a very big game.

“We have got to go out there and treat it as another game, but we have got to be on our toes and give a good account of ourselves.

“We had the players in on Tuesday and last night and we are travelling up together on the coach, and the whole thing will be a buzz for them.

“I think it is, hopefully, going to be a very good weekend.

“I haven’t seen Billingham personally but we have done a bit of homework on them.

“It is about how we prepare ourselves and if we play to our full potential, I think we can give anyone a game. If we apply ourselves well, we should go out and do ourselves justice.”

Poole Town striker Scott Joyce, who helped Poppies overcome Royston Town in the last round, is unlikely to feature.

But frontman Max Cream has been named in the squad after rejoining Poppies from Wimborne Town.

Vaughan added: “He has been with us a couple of times before and has always done well.

“We are more than happy to have him on board. I am really glad to have him back.”

Poppies will be without suspended midfielder Jon Blake following his sending off in the last round against Royston.

Poppies: (from) Frampton, Crow, Jackson, Byrne, Crutcher, Pinder, Rowley, Ewen, Warren, Taylor, M Blake, Ingram, Mas, Mena, Hogan, Cream, Vaughan.