ROBBIE WILLIAMS has only to turn his mind back to February to remind himself about the beauty of the FA Cup.

Town’s fifth-round clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was one of the few highlights of a difficult first season at the Galpharm for the 24-year-old.

Williams, who was suffering from a fractured shin when he signed for Town from Barnsley, missed the opening cup win at Accrington Stanley.

But he enjoyed a victorious home debut against Grimsby in round two and went on to help Town topple then-Premier League Birmingham and trans-Pennine rivals Oldham to set up the trip to the capital.

Now the left-back who returned to the starting XI against Yeovil at the Galpharm on Tuesday and was hoping to keep the shirt against Crewe today is eyeing an outing against Port Vale in this season’s first round when Town play their third successive home game next Saturday.

“It’s always nice to have a cup run and we had a great one last season,” said Williams, who has strong competition for his shirt in the shape of Joe Skarz.

“Beating Birmingham was great, and the game over at Oldham was a proper derby.

“Going down to Chelsea was a great experience, and while we lost, we gave a good account of ourselves.

“It would be great to do something similar this time, but we won’t be treating Port Vale lightly.

“They’ve got a new manager (Dean Glover), and they’ll be as keen to make progress as we are.”

Vale, who were relegated under former Town player Lee Sinnott last season, went into today’s game at Lincoln in 14th place in League II after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Aldershot.

Former Vale midfielder Glover, who was assistant to both Sinnott and predecessor Martin Foyle, took over after the former parted company with the club in September, with his position made permanent within three weeks.

Mainstays of his side include midfielder Anthony Griffith, a summer signing from Doncaster who had a loan stint at Halifax last season, homegrown goalkeeper Joe Anyon and six-goal top scorer Marc Richards, recruited from Barnsley in 2007.

The squad also features Town old boy John McCombe and fellow centre-back Lee Collins, who is on loan from Wolves and may not be given permission to play against Town.