Wroxham have a bit of respite from Ryman League action this weekend as they enter the FA Trophy at the preliminary round stage, writes Adrian Gowling.

The draw was kind to the Yachtsmen with a home tie against Hastings United, who play their football in the Southern equivalent of the Ryman League Division One – Wroxham play in the North).

After falling to a 2-0 home defeat against local rivals Dereham Town on Tuesday night, manager Stewart Larter will be looking for a response from his players.

The Wroxham boss said: 'If we had played the game the way we did in the last 25 minutes then we would have got a result.

'We were 2-0 down before we came alive. You just can't do that and hope to get something from the game.'

Turning to the Trophy game, Larter was keen to emphasise the importance of the game.

'It's an FA competition and these type of games are important to the club financially and in 90 minutes we will be looking to win,' he added.

The Yachtsmen have an extensive list of absentees – they will again be without long-term injury victims Andy Howell and Michael Sommerfield.

Matt Halliday, Jordan King and Jack Garrod are away whilst Nathan Stone is working.

Also absent will be full-back Jackson Ramm who is suspended following his sending off on his debut for Wroxham during a 5-2 home defeat to Aveley.

Hastings are 15th in their league with 15 points from their first 10 games. Three wins on the road mean their away form is slightly better than their record at The Pilot Field.

The visitors are still in the FA Cup as they look to match their heroic 2012/13 exploits which saw them reach the third round proper for the first time in the club's history.

A dream trip to Middlesbrough ended in a 4-1 defeat but it was a day that is etched into the memory of the Sussex outfit's supporters.

If the scores this afternoon are tied after 90 minutes, there will be a replay next week at The Pilot Field, most likely on Tuesday evening.

The winners of today's clash, if there is one, will go on to play the victors of the tie between Chipstead and Uxbridge away from home in the next stage, whilst also pocketing prize money of £2,500.