NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL : Vase tie rouses Raunds

Raunds Town step out of the shadow of their wealthy Northamptonshire neighbours, the upwardly mobile Beazer Homes League club Rushden and Diamonds, when they make their first appearance in the last four of the FA Vase tomorrow. They entertain Arlesey Town, from Bedfordshire, in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Raunds moved in to their compact Kiln Park stadium four years ago, and they have high hopes of progressing to the Beazer from the Hereward United Counties League in the near future. They currently stand third in the Hereward Premier Division - but tomorrow they turn their attention to cup football and the lure of Wembley.

Their nickname is the Shopmates. When they were reformed in 1946 the money to build their clubhouse was raised by shopfloor workers in the shoe trade - known as shopmates. In the late 1950s the journalist and broadcaster David Frost played in the Raunds forward line - his father was a local vicar. Now they look to top scorer Shaun Keeble for goals, he has netted over 40 in each of the last two seasons.

Last season Raunds reached the fourth round, where they were beaten 2- 1 at home by Belper. Raunds could be seeking revenge against the Derbyshire team at Wembley, for Belper are at home to Oxford City in tomorrow's other first leg.