Helston Athletic Manager Steve Massey has described the FA Vase competition as the ‘holy grail’ as his side prepares for their first match of this season’s competition, which is away to South West Peninsula League (SWPL) East side Elmore on Saturday, September 25.

Athletic will go into the game brimming with confidence after crushing 18th placed Ashton & Blackhall United 0-5 in their last game in the league.

Speaking about his love for the FA Vase, Massey believes his side have what it takes to go far in this year’s competition. He said: “It has always been a holy grail of mine ever since I got to the county.”

“The vase has always been a competition that I want to go really far in, I have got a real eye on wanting to have a go this year. I think I have a squad that is capable of it.”

To do so they have to get past their first hurdle which comes in the form of Elmore who are currently ninth in the SWPL East. A division that is a step lower than Helston’s Western League. However, they did win their last game 7-1 and were consequently voted the SWPL’s team of the week. They have taken 13 points from their opening ten games of the season.

Previewing his opponents, Massey expects his opponents to mount a similar threat to Ashton & Blackhall United who Athletic swept aside last weekend: “Elmore are very similar to Ashton, they have a lot of young kids who are talented as well, they like to run with the ball. They have one or two players who like to take the ball and run past people which is a dying art in the game these days.” Said Massey.

“They’re on the back of a 7-1 win on Saturday and were chosen as South West Peninsula team of the week, so they’ll have nothing to lose, absolutely nothing to lose a free shot. We are expecting that, we’re expecting them to go out there and give their all. It will be a tough game, but if we play to our level and what we are capable of I am looking for us to go quite far in this vase.” He added.

The FA Vase is a competition solely for teams playing in Step five and six of the non-league system. The finalists are rewarded with a trip to Wembley.