HORNCHURCH chairman Gary Calder today underlines the importance of the FA Trophy to his Ryman League high-flyers.

On the eve of Hornchurch's appetising second round tie with Newport County, the Urchins' chief insisted the clash with the Exiles was BIGGER than their FA Cup glamour date with Second Division Tranmere Rovers a week later.

Calder pointed out: "The FA Cup is just a bonus for us - our big game is tomorrow's match with Newport County.

"If we're being realistic, we haven't a hope of winning the FA Cup but we fancy our chances in the Trophy. We want still to be in a cup competition as the season draws to a close and, in all honesty, the likelihood of us being in the FA Cup then is small.

"The FA Cup game with Tranmere will surely be a great occasion, especially for our fans, but tomorrow's game with Newport is far more important to us."

Peter Nicholas' County, tenth in the Dr Martens League Premier Division, have lost just once in 11 games while Hornchurch, the full-timers from Essex and third in the Ryman League Premier Division, have lost only one in 13 in all competitions.

They both are the form teams of their respective leagues so tomorrow's affair at Bridge Meadow won't be for the faint-hearted.

"We will treat Newport County with respect because Peter Nicholas has sparked them on to a good run," said Calder.

"But we are playing well too so we're confident. The league is our priority and we're going for our fourth successive promotion as playing in the Conference is our initial aim but we also want a good Trophy campaign.

"Tomorrow's game has the ingredients to be a superb encounter and everyone here at the club is looking forward to Newport's visit."

Hornchurch hit the national headlines when they dumped Third Division Darlington out of the FA Cup at the first round stage, earning them their dream date with Tranmere on Saturday week.

The Urchins have transformed themselves into one of the forces of non-league football thanks to the cash of a multi-millionaire double-glazing magnate, who keeps himself to himself and his identity private. Hornchurch boast full-time players like former QPR striker Bradley Allen and ex-Wimbledon front man Vinny John.

Nicholas is relishing the prospect of tomorrow's tantalising Trophy match-up. "It should be a great game," he smiled.

"They have the kind of money non-league managers dream of but we have a very good squad and are more than capable of winning, so long as my players all perform to the best of their ability.

"We have had a good run but I will not allow my players to get complacent, we need to keep working hard for each other and our chances will come. It will also show how far we've come as a team. It's a prospect that is exciting rather than fearful."

County skipper Gary Lloyd returns from suspension but striker Garry Shephard has not yet recovered after a knee operation. He is likely to be available for next Saturday's league fixture with Hinckley at Spytty Park.

Newport County (from) D Roberts, T Evans, G Lloyd, A Thomas, J Eckhardt, N Davies, A Mumford, R Plant, G Phillips, J Phillips, N Davis, S Williams, S Morgan, A Stevenson, C Rogers, A Williams, S O'Sullivan, G Wesson, G Jones