Exeter City youngster Alex Hartridge, on loan to Truro City this season, has just helped The White Tigers to become Cornish club to reach the FA Cup first round since Falmouth Town in 1969.
In spite of the pressure in the lead up to the game, showing maturity beyond his years, Alex was able to focus on the task at hand as Lee Hodges' team, recorded a 2-0 with over Hampton & Richmond Borough.
“It was a great experience and a great atmosphere,” he said. “There were about 800 people there so there were more than a normal game in our league.
"We’d all been told [about Cornish teams and the FA Cup] and as much as it was good for the club and Cornish football, for a lot of the players' it was also an individual goal to get this far. Obviously, there were nerves, but we knew what we had to do.”
With the first round draw taking place at 7pm on Monday evening, Alex already has his sights on a giant-killing.
“All the boys will be watching the draw,” he said. “Of course we want a big club. A lot of the lads here have played for Plymouth, Exeter City and Torquay United, so they'd love a local derby.”
A key part of a winning team, Alex was extremely positive about his time in the National League South, and the way in which it is helping his progress as a player. With Truro sitting in third, however, he refused to look too far into the future.
“My plan is to be challenging for a first-team spot when I come back,” he said. “But it’s good to get a season under my belt, playing in a team that are doing well. I think our team performances down at Truro are very good, which means that people will come and take notice.
“Of course, when you look at the league table, it’s good to be up there, but we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard each week.”