The Diamonds boss had a good record in FA competitions as a player and now says he is "desperate to do well" in this year’s Vase as a boss.
And Peaks wants his side to improve on previous years, as they enter the FA Vase for the third time in their short history as a reformed club.
Hullbridge Sports v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
The FA Vase
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 22 November 2014
Hullbridge Sports Club
Winners receive £1200 from prize fund
By Hayden Pott
The Northamptonshire side reached the Third Round in their first year of existence in the 2012-13 season, eventually losing 2-1 to Ashington.
Last season they went one better, but were defeated in the Fourth Round by St Andrews 2-0 in front of a crowd of 948 which resulted in the club receiving a bye into this weekend’s Second Round.
And Peaks believes his side are as good as any other in this competition.
"At the end of the day, if we perform to our capabilities, I’d fancy us against any team at our level," he said.
"If we match every other team’s work rate and desire, then we should have enough quality to bet a lot of teams at our level.
"I said it last year, come May with The Final at Wembley, the teams that play will be no better than us.
"In The FA Cup, teams can be from a higher level, so we can only go so far in that, but The Vase is only our level, so the teams that are in it will be no better than the standard we are."
Diamonds are due to head to Essex on Saturday however the game is in some doubt already as Hullbridge Sports have confirmed that there will be a 9am pitch inspection.
Hullbridge are fifth in the Essex Senior League, having picked up 26 points from their 16 games.
However Rushden lead the way in the United Counties Premier Division having only lost once in the league this season.
But despite Diamonds’ strong position in the league, Peaks said Saturday’s game will be a difficult task.
"It’s a tough draw, being drawn away from home," he admitted.
"But we’ll go there and we want to make sure, come five o’clock, we’re still in the draw. If it means bringing them back up next Tuesday night, so be it. But we want to make sure we’re still in the hat.
"It’s a good competition and we’ve got a good record in it. We’re looking to go further than last year obviously, and the boys are a group who have all had a taster of it in the previous seasons and they’re all well up for The Vase absolutely.
"To go far, you need to be a bit lucky in some of the games, you need a half decent draw. It’s a great competition. I’m looking forward to it."
