Burgess Hill manager Gary Croydon is hoping to celebrate his 50th birthday on Saturday by guiding his side into the semi-finals of the FA Vase.

Hillians entertain eastern counties premier division side Tiptree United at Leylands Park, with the Sussex side favourites to win the quarter final clash.

Croydon's side are the unbeaten in the county league this season and on course for a fourth title in six years. Consequently the Leylands Park outfit have turned their attention to achieving success on a national stage and Croydon, who is also a director at the club, is desparate for his side to reach the last four of the competition for the first time.

He said: "If we win it will be a truly memorable day. The players have already told me they will do their best to give me the most perfect present I could wish for."

The Hill manager, who will have his three children at the match, added: "Win, lose or draw we'll have a good time on Saturday.

"It is a big day for the family and for me. They know the significance of my birthday won't be on my mind. My children and most people close to me will know I will be thinking about the game. The grandchildren won't be at the game but I'll save them some of the Forfars cake."

At the Dripping Pan Lewes host Sudbury, another eastern counties premier division side, and both Sussex sides have an excellent chance of making it through to the last four of the Vase.

Croydon says he would be delighted to see Jimmy Quinn's side progress. "It is great for Sussex football," he said. "I've heard so many negative things about football in the county, even some of the Albion fans are moaning which astonishes me, but football is really vibrant down here.

"Lewes, ourselves, Crawley, Hastings, Bognor and Horsham are all having success this season. I just hope the footballing fans in the county enjoy it and get involved."

Essex underdogs Tiptree, who are 14th in their league, plan to gatecrash Croydon's 50th birthday party, and after shocking holders Taunton Town in the previous round, Hill must be on their guard.

The Burgess Hill chief said: "Being favourites isn't something I am worried about. We have been dominant in the Sussex league for the last few years and a lot of the boys are used to being favourites.

"Players like Ashley Carr, Paul Williams, Daren Newman and Adie Downey are vastly experienced, and the younger lads like Pat Gannon and Steve Harper have proved they are men for the big occasion."

Croydon watched Tiptree beat Gorleston 2-1 at Chapel Road in the Jewson Millennium Cup on Tuesday night and came away confident.

He said: "To have got this far they are a good side and we will have to go at them hell for leather. There could be plenty of goals. The fans can play a major role, we are used to playing in front of a big home crowd and it may intimidate the opposition."

Tiptree, who have won away in each of the last three rounds, are one of three teams from the eastern counties premier division in the quarter finals.

Manager Neil Farlie said: "I think our league is stronger than the Sussex county league and it is no coincidence that us, Sudbury and Wroxham are all in the last eight."

Town are without influential player-coach Sean Edwards who has not recovered from a knee ligament injury, and he is joined on the sidelines by Jay Head who is out with a hamstring injury.

The club expect to better their record crowd of 1,215 for the home tie with Porthleven in the previous round, and have raised the capacity of Leylands Park to 2,162 thanks to a temporary 516-seater stand behind the goal opposite the clubhouse.

Burgess Hill are running a park and ride service allowing fans a free lift to the ground from Marle Place and Sidney West in Laylands Road from 1pm to 3.15pm.

The match is not all ticket and tickets can be purchased in advance from 10 am on 01444 242429.

Lewes are letting in under-14s for free and have also erected a temporary stand at the clubhouse end of the ground which will remain for the rest of the season.

Manager Jimmy Quinn will give a debut to Liam Barham, who has signed on loan from St Leonards to fill the void in midfield after Justin Harris broke his left leg.

Former Albion defender John Crumplin is also included in the squad after signing as cover from Three Bridges.