MANAGER Ashley Vincent wants his Worcester City side to be the team who “creep up” from mid-table into the mix at the top in the second half of the season.

And the City manager looks to build on the 10th-placed club’s progress to the Buildbase FA Vase last 16 with a “big performance” at home to second-placed Sporting Khalsa on Saturday (3pm).

Vincent feels his players “owe” a display against the West Midlands side who comprehensively beat them 4-0 in Willenhall back in September.

But City, who advanced in the Vase with a 2-1 comeback victory at home to Coventry United on Wednesday thanks to Marco Adaggio’s brace, did beat Khalsa 2-1 away in the League Cup during November thanks to Liam Lockett and Demetri Brown.

Saturday’s Midland Football League Premier Division visitors are just one point behind leaders Newark Flowserve with Worcester, who have gone three games unbeaten in the competition since Boxing Day with one win and two draws, a further 11 back.

Vincent said: “We want to creep up the league because it’s still a tight group.

“There will be someone from the mid-table pack that will creep up there and I don’t see why that should not be us.

“We’re full of confidence but we have got to make sure we get our performances right and not take anything or anyone for granted.

“Sporting Khalsa are a difficult outfit, very physical, have some really good players and a management staff that we know really well so it’s competitive.

“They caught us early on in the season and were probably the only side that I’ve come away from the game and thought they have done us and deserved it. They thoroughly beat us.

“We owe a big performance and that’s what I’m after from the boys on Saturday.”

City have the Vase tie at lower-ranked Atherstone Town to look forward to on Saturday, February 8, but Vincent is determined to maintain focus in the meantime with his men unbeaten at their Victoria Ground home in 10 games since October 23.

Vincent said: “Now the Vase is out of the way we can’t do anything about that until we play it in a few weeks’ time.

“In the meantime we have got league games and a cup match in another competition that we want to win.

“Winning is a habit. It’s not a case of me thinking I have got to rest players because I need them fresh and ready for the big Vase game.

“The boys have got to go again on Saturday. We have a small squad. I’ll see what comes out of the Vase game injury and fitness-wise and I’ll pick the best team.

“I’ve probably got seven lads who were sat on the bench in midweek that all really want to play.

“It’s about us managing the squad and sticking together.

“When I put the subs on (against Atherstone) I don’t underestimate the part they play to get us through to the next round.

“If we win something and have really great days it’s not because of individuals but the collective.”

Khalsa also marched on in the Vase with a trip to Corinthian ahead next month after beating Kirkley and Pakefield 2-0 following extra-time.