The Isthmian League side were paired with National League high-fliers Grimsby Town in Monday’s semi-final draw.
Howell knows that his team will be underdogs against the Mariners over the course of the two-legged tie, interspersed with a congested fixture list which already sees them a number of games behind their promotion rivals in the Isthmian Premier League.
Bognor Regis Town v Grimsby Town
The FA Trophy
Semi-Final first leg
3pm, Saturday 12 March 2016
Nyewood Lane, Bognor Regis
Winners receive £16,000 from prize fund
Click here for fixtures
But after previously seeing off National League opponents in the shape of Sutton United and Torquay United, Howell believes his players can take plenty of encouragement into the first leg on Saturday 12 March.
"We have a manic month or two really and when you’re having to re-arrange games, it can get difficult but we’re very much enjoying the journey so far," he admits.
"But we’re just delighted we’re in it and it will be another fantastic day for the club and the players.
"We know it’s going to be a difficult game but it’s one to look forward to and see what we can do."
The Rocks will host the first leg at Nyewood Lane, before they face the trip north to Blundell Park for the decider.
And whilst it may be the draw which the other four remaining clubs would have wanted to avoid, Howell is looking at the positives.
"Someone had said to me that we didn’t want to get Grimsby because they’re flying, but lo and behold that’s the case," he added.
"I think the one thing we have at the present moment is we’ve done far better than we ever anticipated we’d do against sides from a higher division.
"That’s not normal for us as we usually go out at a much earlier stage, but that confidence breeds confidence with the players.
"Yes, we know it’s going to be a very hard task but we’re there and we’re only two games away from Wembley so we’ll have a real go."
Tickets for The FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium are on sale now, priced at £25 for adults, £10 for concessions and just £1 for Under-16s.
The match takes place on Non-League Finals Day on Sunday 22 May, with The FA Vase Final included in the ticket price. Call 0844 826 2010 or click here for more details.
