HANWORTH Villa boss Bobby Dawson described his side's journey into the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup as 'a fairytale'.
In their first ever season in the competition, the Villains have already played seven games, and Dawson is now dreaming of a first round proper game against Sheffield Wednesday.
However, before that, the Combined Counties Premier side have the tough prospect of a fourth qualifying round tie at Southern League Premier leaders AFC Totton on Saturday week.
Dawson said: “It perhaps wasn't the best of draws, but we are one game away from a possible draw against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, which would be a massive pay day for the club.
“It will be our toughest game so far. Totton are two leagues above us and are top of it too, so they look like a good outfit, and we'll have our work cut out.
“But just to get this far in our first season in the FA Cup, and to be 90 minutes away from playing a Football League club, is a fairytale.”
Villa made it through Tuesday night's third qualifying round replay against Slough Town with a stirring second half display, watched by a club record 592 crowd.
In the initial game on Saturday, Villa fell behind twice, but twice they came back through a Lawrie Shennan strike and a superb 40-yard free-kick from Levi King (pictured) to earn a 2-2 draw.
And on Tuesday, they fell behind once more, but a a second half brace from King, sandwiching a Shaun Preddie effort, sent Southern League Division One side Slough spinning out.
Dawson said: “It was an incredible night, and I'm immensely proud of the boys. We showed our character in both games – the boys never give up. In the second half, we played football that was just beyond them.”
Villa now switch their attention to the FA Vase, with the visit of neighbours Bedfont Sports in the first round tomorrow.
Dawson will be only too aware of the threat posed by the Combined Counties Division One high-fliers, who took them to a replay in the earlier qualifying rounds of the FA Cup.
He added: “It will be a hard game for us as they are a good organised side, but we will be up for it as we are more likely to get to Wembley in the FA Vase than the FA Cup.
“With all these cup games, we have only played one game since the start of September, so we'll be playing catch up later in the season – but there's no tiredness now, the lads are just buzzing.”
