Diamonds on the brink of 'something massive' as they gear up for FA Cup showdown

Elliot Sandy’s side take on higher-level Morecambe in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup at a sold-out Hayden Road on Saturday (3pm), and the prize up for grabs is a huge one.

A win, and Diamonds will qualify for the first round of the world’s oldest knockout football tournament ​for the first time since their formation in 2011.

Sandy’s side already had to work their way through five rounds to get this far, starting with a 5-0 win at Kimberley Miners Welfare on August 8.

They have gone on to beat Long Eaton United, Desborough Town, Step 3 side Peterborough Sports and, in the third qualifying round, National League South outfit Braintree Town.

They now face another Step 2 side in Morecambe, who only 18 months ago were plying their trade in the Football League, and are still a full-time outfit.

After successive relegations the Shrimps, who are managed by former FC Halifax Town boss Adam Lakeland, are a lowly 17th in National League North.

Their recent form has seen them win four out of their past seven in the league – although they went down 2-1 at Worksop Town on Saturday.

The match will be watched by a record crowd in Rushden, and assistant boss Jim Le Masurier can’t wait.

"It's going to be fantastic and that's what we're here to do, to try and progress in every cup we're in, progress up the league as far as possible," he told @AFCRD.

"What an occasion we've been able to deliver, and we are looking forward to it.

"We will give it our absolute all and the prize at the end of it is something that maybe a lot of people could only dream of.

"As the week goes on, the realisation will start to sink in that we are not that far away from something massive."

Diamonds have been in good form all season, remain unbeaten in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division, and on Saturday were 5-3 winners at Long Eaton.

Bruno Andrade stole the show with a hat-trick, and he is one of a clutch of the Diamonds squad to have previously played in the first round of the FA Cup, alongside the likes of John-Joe O’Toole and Matty Warburton.

And the front man is full of belief that Diamonds are capable of springing a surprise and getting in the hat for the first round draw.

"I like a good challenge, it's what I thrive on, especially in front of a big crowd as well,” said Andrade.

"It is a sell-out, so obviously it is going to be a big game for the club.

"We can't get too distracted by the occasion, we still need to do our jobs and play football the right way.

"I think if we do the basics right and attack as we have done in the past couple of games, then we will give ourselves a good chance."

Morecambe will go into the game as favourites, but they will not be taking the Diamonds lightly.

Midfielder Matty Daly will be a key man for the visitors, and he said: “We respect every team we play against, regardless of the league, the position, the type of club or whatever.

"That is out mentality in every game, it is we are coming here to do a job.

"We know it's not going to be an easy game, but we will hopefully go and get the win."