IF anyone is qualified to enlighten Lymington & New Milton's players about the incentives for winning tomorrow's FA Vase home showdown with Mossley, it's midfield warhorse Taffy Richardson.

Yet the man who famously captained Wimborne Town to Wembley glory nearly 11 years ago, is unable to regale his teammates with memories of that monumental achievement - because the 'W' word is banned from the Fawcett's Field dressing room!

Richardson, pictured right, who signed for Lymington after losing his job as Salisbury City player-manager during the summer, reckons the Magpies have pushed tales of their glory season down the throats of their Jewson Wessex League rivals once too often.

He suspects that the guilty party is Linnets' charismatic assistant boss Alex Pike, the man who masterminded Wimborne's epic 5-3 victory over Guiseley in 1992.

Richardson smiled: "When I first got to Lymington I was warned there'd be a fine for mentioning Wimborne in the dressing room and, as I've got no money, I couldn't risk it! I don't know why they've got this rule, but I think it's because of Pikey!"

Although Lymington have lost valuable ground on Wessex top dogs Eastleigh in recent weeks, Richardson knows at first hand that tomorrow's fourth-round tie will be as much about appetite as ability.

On current form, the Linnets are not the strongest side left in the competition - but, then, neither were Wimborne when they won it.

Richardson recalled: "We weren't the best team in the Vase by far that season, but we fought for one another and defended well and our big players came through for us.

"The way I look at it is that there are only 32 teams left in the competition and we're still in the hat. From now on it's all about who wants to win it - and if you want something badly enough, then you will always do well."

When you're talking life-changing experiences, winning a national cup competition at Wembley must rank up there with the best.

Richardson reflected: "When you play sport you get the highs and the lows - and the highs are really brilliant. I was watching Dagenham & Redbridge beat Plymouth the other night and when I saw them celebrating, I remembered how it felt when we won at Wembley.

"It was such a buzz that it lives with you for the rest of your life.

"Suddenly everyone took notice of us and that's when I got my break into Southern League football with clubs like Poole Town and Dorchester. It's an experience I'll never forget."

Frustratingly for Linnets' player-manager Graham Kemp, he must sit out tomorrow's big match with a knee injury.

A veteran of many a good Vase run, the 37-year-old defender set up Andy Sampson's winner when Linnets knocked out North West Counties outfit Mossley 1-0 after extra time at the same stage of the competition four seasons ago.

"I've told the players I'll be fit for the next round, so they'd better pull through for me. I'd hate to end my Vase career on a low," said Kemp.

"We've had Mossley watched a couple of times and they're very gung-ho going forward with a couple of strong lads at the back."

Linnets' new midfield signing Andy Culliford is not eligible because he has already played in the Vase for Brockenhurst.