IT will be Lee Sculpher's easiest team talk of the season.

His Clitheroe side meet non-League 'giants' Bedlington Terriers in the second round of the FA Vase and he knows the players will need no motivating.

The two sides have impressive recent records in the competition and both would have been expected to go far this year.

That is, if they hadn't been drawn against each other in tomorrow's second round!

"When I heard the draw I was shocked," said Blues boss Lee Sculpher, who will be shoring up the back line at centre half tomorrow in the clash at Shawbridge.

"There must be a couple of hundred teams still left in and we end up drawing one of the best sides in the country.

"But looking at our record they probably feel the same way and if they don't that can only be to our advantage because they underestimate us at their peril.

"Obviously you look for an easy game in the opening round but you have to play what's put in front of you."

Both sides were given byes to this round because of their recent success.

Bedlington were runners-up in 1999 as were Clitheroe in 1996. The Blues also reached the quarter-finals last year and the semi-finals the year before.

There is massive expectation at both clubs - both sets of supporters will be looking for their sides to progress.

Both managers will have been looking for an easier tie, but there are advantages to drawing a big club.

"You automatically raise your game for a team like that," said Sculpher. "I wouldn't expect my players to save themselves for any game, they should always do enough to win.

"But when you turn up on a Saturday and it's cold and wet and you're playing third from bottom in the league on a boggy pitch it can be difficult to motivate yourself and anyone who says any different is telling porkies.

"But for a game like this no motivation is needed. It will be the easiest team talk of the season."

Sculpher and his assistant Dave Sargent have each watched the Terriers once - Sculpher a 2-1 victory and Sargent a 6-0 win - and both say it is clear why they have been Northern League champions for the past five seasons.

"They are a very, very good side," said Sculpher.

"Their record speaks for itself, as the Lancashire Evening Telegraph kindly highlighted when the draw was made!

"They scored six goals last week which puts them in a good frame of mind for coming down here. They scored four goals from set pieces as well so we'll have to watch for that."

As always, the Terriers are chasing the Northern League title and Clitheroe have their own ambitions of league success.

They are currently fourth in the North West Counties League and have won their last four games.

Gary Jackson is only 50-50 for the game after suffering an ankle injury so Lee Buggie may partner top scorer Lee Cryer up front.

Both sides are full of confidence but Clitheroe may have the edge as they are at home - and the Counties is arguably a tougher league.

"I expect they'll be travelling down tomorrow morning so we'll be hoping for a few traffic jams!" said Sculpher.

"It will be a big change to their normal matchday routine because usually you'd only travel 90 minutes at the most, so that may help us.

"But it is difficult to say which is the tougher league to play in. They are hammering teams but you don't know if that is because they are so good or because the other teams in the league are much poorer.

"Obviously the fans here are expecting us to do well. But I don't feel under any pressure as a player. The past two years in the competition have been brilliant and the players want to go as far as they can.

"But we were probably under more pressure in the second round last year when we played Nelson because that was a game we were expected to win easily."

CLITHEROE'S AGM takes place at the club tonight, starting 8pm. Questions can be asked of the chairman and the manager.