THE prospect of joining the likes of Sheffield United, Coventry City and Portsmouth in the FA Cup first round draw is tantalisingly close for Worcester City.

Reaching this stage of the competition is something the Blue and Whites have been striving to achieve ever since they lost to Huddersfield Town in the second round nine years ago.

They have come close on a few occasions but always fallen short.

In 2006, they lost to Basingstoke Town on penalties in a fourth qualifying round replay under the stewardship of Andy Preece.

There was more agony two years ago when they conceded a last-gasp goal at Bromley when a replay at St George’s Lane seemed certain.

Last season, they drew 1-1 with Lincoln City at Aggborough but were then comfortably swatted aside by the Conference side 3-0 in the replay at Sincil Bank.

This Sunday, it will be different. City host Greenwich Borough, one of the lowest ranked sides still left in this year’s competition.

Unlike on previous occasions, they will be warm favourites to progress and, despite Greenwich having already won five matches to reach this stage, City know it.

But that doesn’t mean it’s a foregone conclusion. Just ask Danny Jackman.

The 31-year-old midfielder, part of the Kidderminster Harriers side that lost 1-0 at Sunderland in the fourth round last season, said: “It’s in our hands but complacency could be our biggest enemy.

“We’re playing well and beating teams that are competing on big budgets, like Harrogate last Saturday.

“We’re doing well but we’ve got to keep going and not get complacent.”

If City can get the job done, the rewards are there.

The club would bank £12,500 in prize money and Monday evening’s draw live on the BBC would present the potential for Football League opposition.

Jackman said: “It would be massive. The club’s not really had much success other than the Huddersfield game and going back a long way before that.

“I know we can get a lot of coverage and all these young lads would love the coverage and it would be great for the club and the city which I think we deserve.

“It would be really big for the club and hopefully it will give the club a buzz and get a few more fans over to Aggborough supporting us.”

Jackman also believes the sort of team spirit that saw them beat Harrogate last Saturday, with central defender Wayne Thomas in goal, will hold City in good stead.

He said: “It was a big effort from the all the lads, we really had to dig deep to get the result.

“It wasn’t necessarily the best performance in the world but it’s the sign of a good team if we can not play well and win games.

“It’s all part of the team spirit that we’ve got at the minute, all working hard for each other and all pulling in the same direction.”