A COLLEGE football team from Worcester aim to extend their “outstanding” run in a national competition as they eye a place in the last four.

Heart of Worcestershire (HOW) College take on Oaklands College Seconds in the quarter-finals of the Men’s Premier Cup at Little Perdiswell on Wednesday (2pm).

Manager Mark Owen said it had been a “long road” to reach the stage as more than 150 college teams entered the competition.

The former Worcester City striker hopes his players can seize their opportunity and move one step closer to glory.

“When you get to the quarter-final stage you are hoping for a home draw so luckily we have got that,” Owen said.

“I don’t know too much about Oaklands but I have had a match report off their last opponents so we can put a game-plan together.

“It is a chance to get into a big national cup semi-final so obviously the lads are looking forward to it.”

HOW College, who work in partnership with Worcester City, began their journey with a 5-4 victory at Dudley College in October.

They then defeated Birmingham Met College Seconds 3-2, Walford and North Shropshire College 4-3 and Sandwell College 2-0 before seeing off higher-graded Hartpury College on penalties earlier this month.

Sam Yeomans has captained the side, while Ben Tilbury, who has scored 19 goals this season, Bailey Beddows and Callum Harper have given them a threat going forward.

“Three of our wins were away from home so the lads have been outstanding so far,” Owen said.

“It has been a long road but we have beaten some good colleges along the way.

“We need to be in the right place mentally and physically and if we can get our preparations correct we can do the job against Oaklands.”