JAMES Taylor wants to see his Team Solent side back to their ball-passing best in Saturday's huge FA Vase last-32 tie against Croydon at Test Park.

The Southampton Solent University side have already created club history by reaching the fourth round proper of lower non-League’s most prestigious cup competition and are the last Sydenhams Wessex side standing.

But if they are to go any further Taylor requires a marked improvement on Tuesday’s 3-1 victory over Fawley AFC in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

“We did enough to win, but it was pretty scrappy,” he said.

“We’ve watched Croydon and they’re quick up top, so we’re going to have to be at our best.

“If we pass the ball like we did on Tuesday, it won’t be enough. It wasn’t up to our normal standard.

“But if we pass it like we’re capable of doing, we’ve got a chance.”

Solent have come through five ties to reach this stage – four of them away from home.

They beat Hythe & Dibden (2-1), Hallen (3-1), Helston Athletic (2-1) and Shaftesbury (3-1) on their travels before seeing off South West Peninsular League champions Bodmin 1-0 at Test Park thanks to a Curtis Thorn header less than 30 seconds into the tie.

“Bodmin are definitely the best team we’ve played. It was nip and tuck and we did well to get through it,” said Taylor. “But all the games have been tricky. Even at Hythe, we won it in the last five minutes after we went down to ten men when Ade (Olumuyiwa) got sent off.”

Croydon, currently mid-table in the Southern Counties East League, have reserved their best form for the Vase.

The Trams are hoping to make it third time lucky at the fourth round stage having previously lost to Oxford City in 1994/95 and Biggleswade Town in 2008/09.

The likes of Thorn, Pip Nolan and ex-QPR under-18 striker Tyrell Mitford were all rested by Team Solent on Tuesday and Taylor himself had to play in goal with Gibraltar under- 19 international Bradley Banda unavailable. All should join a full-strength squad tomorrow.

“We’ve been looking forward to this game for the last three weeks and everyone’s keen to do well,” said Taylor.

“It’s nice that we’re the last Wessex side left, we want to keep that going.”