Records have already been broken at North Leigh this season and Saturday could be a case of déjà vu as they face Folkestone Invicta in The Buildbase FA Trophy second round qualifying.
The Oxfordshire club reached The Emirates FA Cup fourth round qualifying this term – their best-ever showing in the competition.
And they have now achieved their best-ever performance in the FA Trophy following a 6-1 win against Yate Town in first round qualifying.
This season’s FA Cup adventure featured a 3-1 win against Isthmian Premier League side Folkestone, a major result for the club who sit a step below in the pyramid.
However, North Leigh manager John Brough insists little separates the two sides and sees no reason why his troops cannot repeat the triumph this weekend.
“We go into it knowing a little bit about each other, which is not always the case at this level, so we are looking forward to it and we are confident,” he said.
“The FA Cup is a similar situation where we reached the fourth round qualifying, which we had never done before and it’s the case again here, so we are making a little piece of history.
“We know it will be a tough match and we have to go and play our best to beat a very good Folkestone team.
“We learned that there is not a great deal between the two divisions even though they are a league higher, and it is down to who plays better on the day.
“We know that if we allow them to play their game we will be on the back foot, so we have to stop them doing that and play the football we like to play.”
FA Trophy history
This is the furthest North Leigh have ever gone in the competition, having previously only made it to first round qualifying.
Folkestone Invicta have reached the third round proper on three occasions – in 1998-99, 2000-01, 2003-04.
Did you know?
North Leigh midfielder Callum McNish was once on the books at Southampton, where he made his professional debut in a 3-2 win against Carlisle United.
The 24-year-old has since played for Exeter City, Braintree Town, Eastleigh, Basingstoke Town and Oxford City.
One to watch
Last season’s North Leigh top goalscorer George Seacole has picked up where he left off this year, terrifying defences and finding the back of the net with regularity.
The striker warmed up for Saturday’s contest with a goal in their 3-2 defeat at Wimborne Town last weekend.
The prize
The winners of the tie will book a place in third round qualifying, and pick up a cheque for £3,250.
