AFC St Austell manager Phil Lafferty is relishing his side's underdog status as they go into the FA Vase semi-finals as the lowest ranked side left in the competition.
The Lilywhites sit just nine points off the top of the South West Peninsula Premier League and are on the way to becoming the first team from Cornwall to reach the final since Truro won the trophy in 2007.
AFC St Austell v Glossop North End
FA Vase
Semi-Final First Leg
3pm, Saturday 21 March
Poltair Park, St Austell
And Lafferty is loving it: "We've been underdogs from the first preliminary round, nobody expected us to get this far," he said.
The Lilywhites prepared for Saturday's semi-final clash against Glossop North End in perfect fashion on Wednesday as they beat top of the table Saltash United 4-0.
With a clean bill of health, Lafferty will have the whole squad to choose from and has targeted a home win, to put them in a good position for the second leg.
"We want to get a home win, show them our intent."
Club Secretary Peter Beard has praised the work the manager has been doing.
"Phil has been fantastic," Beard commented. "We didn't even contemplate getting this far when we entered the competition at the start of the season.
“To be at this stage in our development this early, it's great”
Phil Lafferty AFC St Austell manager
"Getting this far is wonderful, but reaching the final would be beyond our wildest dreams."
Lafferty has enjoyed a remarkable first full season in charge of the club, making the Lilywhites title challengers and FA Vase giant killers.
"When I took the job I set myself a three year target of winning the league but to be at this stage in our development this early, it's great.
"But we haven't won anything yet."
