Lowestoft Town travel to Whitley Bay on Saturday for the first leg of their FA Vase semi-final.

The two sides met at this stage last season, when Ridgeons Premier League side Lowestoft won 4-3 on aggregate.

Town joint-manager Mickey Chapman told BBC Radio Suffolk: "Obviously they are going to be even more determined after last year.

"What happened then has gone though and we know we have a difficult job ahead of us but we are looking forward it."

Lowestoft eventually lost 2-1 in the Wembley final to Kirkham & Wesham but Chapman has said his side are a better outfit this time around: "We've got some different players and we've learnt a lot from last year.

"We know it's going to be tough going up there, we're under no illusions, they're a quality outfit.

"They are doing well in their league [Northern League Division One] and they're still strong so over the two legs it was a fantastic achievement to knock them out."

One major difference from a year ago is Lowestoft's league form.

we're well organised and we are doing the basics on a regular basis so there is a lot of belief in the camp Lowestoft joint-manager Mickey Chapman

Twelve months ago they were mid-table in the league but now they are 17 points clear at the top and also through to the final of the Suffolk Premier Cup.

Chapman believes their league and cup form have been beneficial to one another: "The boys are really working hard, their fitness levels are better and they are playing some good stuff.

"Even when we are not playing so well we are sticking together, we're well organised and we are doing the basics on a regular basis so there is a lot of belief in the camp."

Lowestoft - who are aiming to become the first Suffolk club to win the FA Vase - will host the second leg of the semi-final on Saturday, 4 April.

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