BOWERS & Pitsea face their fifth FA Youth Cup game of the season on Tuesday night and are eager to make sure it will not be their last.
Bowers host Southend United at the Len Salmon Stadium having already beaten four teams in the competition.
And Bowers boss Tony Hague says his side are looking forward to taking on the Shrimpers.
“The boys are really excited about the game,” said Hague.
“It’s our fifth game in the tournament already.
"We had an extra preliminary round and started right back in August.
"It feels like we should be coming to the end of the season already and it’s only October!
“But the target for our level is to get to the first round proper and to play a pro club.
"To be able to have that opportunity to get to the first round and already playing a pro club has worked out well for us.”
Tomorrow's tie takes place in the third qualifying round.
But Hague believes Blues will be tough to beat.
“The main difference is Southend will be organised because they’re pro scholars, said Hague.
“We’re quite a new squad and they will be working together four or five times a week. Being scholars they’re going to be good players as well too.”
However, Hague is certain Bowers’ youngsters will also be looking to show off their own skills.
“A lot of our lads have been in and around pro clubs in the past and have been released,” said Hague.
“They will be keen to show clubs like Southend they still have something to prove at that level so we’re looking forward to it.”
And Hague is also hoping for a good atmosphere.
“Hopefully we’ll have support from the younger age groups and we will have a few there watching,” said Hague.
“Ideally we would’ve liked the game on the original date which was a Friday as that would probably have encouraged a slightly bigger crowd.
"But Southend play Saturdays and we had to offer them two dates.
"It could help us in the long run though as a lot of our boys play college football in the week so we’ve got the fixture in before any possible fatigue.”
Hague is currently enjoying his first season in charge of Bowers having made the switch from Billericay Town in the summer.
But his spell in charge has mainly been cup games so far.
“We’ve only had three league games,” said Hague.
“We won two and had one poor result.
"We’ve got through in two other cups as well so it’s been pretty good and we’re going into the Southend game in a good place.”
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