Cup specialists Camberley Town will bid to pull off a giant-killing on Saturday when they travel to Hereford in The FA Vase sixth round.
And manager Dan Turkington believes their cup pedigree can make all the difference.
This is Turkington’s third year at the helm and so far he has guided the club to five cup finals, winning two of them, and two second-place league finishes.
Hereford v Camberley Town
The FA Vase
Sixth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 20 February
Edgar Street, Hereford
Winners receive £4500 from prize fund
By Joshua Richards
They will be out of their comfort zone this weekend when they run out in front of almost 5000 expectant supporters at Edgar Street – a world away from the 200-strong crowd that usually turn out at Camberley’s Krooner Park.
But Turkington is backing his players to cope with the attention and increased pressure.
"The experience of getting to finals and now winning them means the boys know they are capable of going further in this competition," he said.
"This is my third full season at the club. I was runner-up twice in the league and we got to three cup finals last year and won two of them.
"We were runners-up in two competitions two years ago, so it was great to get that monkey off our back.
"Some of the guys have played in front of big crowds and some haven’t, but we’ve got enough leaders to negotiate that when we get there.
"And for the boys that haven’t, they have played in big games that mean a lot and that’s how they need to think about this one – just another big game."
Hereford have been the plum draw for anyone in this year’s competition and Turkington admits he was hoping to be paired with the Bulls in the first round.
The winners from this weekend's FA Vase ties will progress to the semi-finals
But having now reached the last eight, this tie means more to Camberley than just a cash injection.
"We are the underdog and we love the big occasion," he added.
"We were hoping to draw Hereford or Salisbury in round one, but now that the big tie is here we aren’t just going there for a day out and to make up the numbers.
"This is the furthest the club has been in The Vase for 30 years, but the boys are disciplined. They won’t be looking too far ahead, they know the importance of this tie.
"We are going there with a purpose, it’s not too dissimilar to a big FA Cup tie and we are delighted to get the game.
"We’ve watched Hereford and they are a good team, but so are we and I’d like to think we can beat anyone at Step Five on our day."
