REED skipper James Heslam has described his side s next two games as massive . On Saturday, Reed will be looking to extend their winning run to three league games when hosting Hitchin, while Sunday s trip to High Roding offers a place in the last eight

REED skipper James Heslam has described his side's next two games as "massive".

On Saturday, Reed will be looking to extend their winning run to three league games when hosting Hitchin, while Sunday's trip to High Roding offers a place in the last eight of the National Village Cup.

Heslam told The Crow: "It's an important weekend for the club and we're going to be giving both games our best shot.

"We've struggled in the league this season, after winning promotion last year, and we need to keep performing in order to stay out of trouble.

"And everyone knows what Sunday's game means for the club, a place in the quarter finals would be brilliant. We've got two massive games ahead of us."

If Reed manage to see off Essex area champions High Roding, after knocking out Buckinghamshire champions Bledlow Village in the previous round, the club will mirror their longest run in the competition, having reached the quarter-finals in 1988.

Heslam said: "We've been enjoying our run in the competition and hopefully it will continue. But High Roding will be a tough side to beat.

"We've got a lot of support though, and with a full bus in tow it should be a good day for everyone involved, particularly if we get through.

"It's good to have their support and when they get behind us it really makes a difference.

"We always go into our games with confidence and Sunday will be no different.

"It's all about how the teams perform on the day, but we believe that we can do well.

"We have to believe that we can get through, and Sunday gives us a great chance of getting through to the quarter-final.

"We'll get out there and give 100 per cent - and hopefully that will be enough."

Heslam is hoping a victory on Saturday will give them added confidence, with mid-table Hitchin comfortably beaten last weekend by Saracens Herts Division One leaders St Margaretsbury.

He said: "It would obviously be nice to win on Saturday, because it would give us a boost for Sunday's game.

"They're a good side and it should be another good game.

"It's a big weekend for the club, and hopefully we'll come through it with another league win and a place in the quarter-finals of the National Village Cup.