WHILE all around him are being struck with cup fever, one man keeping his feet firmly on the ground is Petersfield Town’s manager Ian Saunders.

As dreams of reaching the First Round Proper of the Emirates FA Cup and drawing a Football League side swirl around Love Lane like the autumn mist, Saunders is keeping a clear head.

He won’t let his players or coaching staff get carried away with the magic of the cup, and despite the possibilities which could come with winning two more games in the world’s most famous cup competition, the Rams boss is not looking past the next game on Saturday.

“We are astonished we have got this far, so we will just try and enjoy the challenge put in front of us again on Saturday,” said Saunders.

“If we are lucky, we may get another shout at causing another cup upset here at Love Lane.

"St Albans City will be the most professional side we will have faced and they have a great cup pedigree, while playing in the National League levels – a dream we can only imagine.

“We will be massive underdogs. Hopefully we can have our very best day, while hopefully they have their worst.”

While the manager’s assessment of his side’s chances on Saturday is understated, it is not lost on him just how big the achievement has been in reaching the Third Qualifying Round stage of the competition.

The Rams beat Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division side Moneyfields 2-1 in the Preliminary Round, saw off Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division giants Weymouth 3-1 in the First Qualifying Round and then beat another Southern Premier Division outfit, Cirencester Town, 3-1 in the Second Qualifying Round.

Saunders reflected: “I’ve been very happy with the cup run. It’s fantastic for a club of our size to have had the success we have had so far.

“Moneyfields away was as difficult a game we have played this season, especially playing for 70 minutes with only ten men. Both of the victories versus Weymouth and Cirencester were also as tough as they come, but on all three occasions I saw the Petersfield side I know we have at the club.”

As well as another victory in the FA?Cup, Saunders’ only other wish is for his side’s league form to pick up.

He added: “Hopefully we can turn our FA Cup form into league form soon.”