BRANTHAM Athletic boss Paul Abrahams says his side must play to their strengths in this weekend’s FA Vase showdown at East Preston.

The Imps are preparing for a huge fourth-round, last 32 showdown against the South Coast outfit.

Former Colchester United star Abrahams knows his players face a huge test against opposition riding high at the top of the Sussex County League.

Unbeaten East Preston have a huge 13-point lead at the division one summit, with 17 wins from their 20 games.

But Abrahams believes his side can cause an upset – if they play to the best of their ability.

“It’s such an exciting prospect, for a club of our size and level, to be just four games from playing at Wembley,” he said. “It’s what we’re all striving for but we know how tough it’s going to be for us this weekend.

“We’ll have to be at our best and hope they have an off-day.

“East Preston will be very difficult opposition.

“I’ve seen them play and they’re a well-organised, physically imposing side with some very good footballers.

“They try to play the ball out of defence, through the midfield. “They have pace, strength and score lots of goals.

“In fact, it’s difficult to pinpoint any weaknesses but we have to concentrate on our strengths.” Abrahams, who played for the likes of Heybridge Swifts, Wivenhoe Town and Halstead Town after leaving the U’s, is enjoying his time in the Brantham hot-seat, having taken over in December.

Athletic are mid-table in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division and notched an impressive 2-0 victory against Norwich United last Saturday.

David Grimwood and Ed Nobbs scored their goals at the Brantham Leisure Centre.

“I’m really enjoying it,” said the 40-year-old. “We’ve got the quality but now we’re starting to show more consistency and it was a fantastic win against Norwich.

“They’d won eight of their previous 11 games, only conceding once in six matches, and they’re still in the Vase and League Cup.

“That shows what an excellent result it was against one of the better sides in our division.”