SALISBURY City are now just two wins away from repeating last season's FA Cup heroics, writes Mike Turner.
Whites head to Weston Super Mare on Saturday knowing a surprise victory against the Nationwide Conference South club would put them a mere 90 minutes from a place in the First Round proper of the famous competition, setting up a possible money-spinning repeat of their memorable cup fairytale that ended at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday.
City's cup trail has so far earned them £7,000 and has already echoed last year's campaign.
Then, they were expected to breeze past West-bury United in the second qualifying round, but the Screwfix Western League side held them to a draw at Old Sarum before succumbing in the replay.
Whites went on to register a shock win at much-fancied Havant & Water-looville who were then a division above them, before beating Lymington & New Milton to set up the trip to Hillsborough.
Earlier this month Frome Town, another Screwfix outfit, denied Nick Holmes' side victory at home, but were no match for them in last week's replay which City won 3-0.
Their reward is Satur-day's trip to north Somer-set to face The Seagulls.
"It's interesting how it's all panned out again," said Holmes.
"One or two people have commented on the similarities between the cup runs, but I really wouldn't mind how we got to the First Round.
"And," he joked: "I notice Sheffield Wednes-day are still in the draw!"
Holmes expressed his satisfaction with City's display at Frome, but will be hanging on the telephone from across the Atlantic to find out how his charges get on at Weston.
Now back in Florida where he is tying up his business commitments before a permanent return to the UK, the former FA Cup winner has left newly appointed assistant manager Barry Blankley in charge.
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