Connor Smith is hoping he can overcome his own FA Trophy disappointment and help guide loan club Wealdstone to the final at Wembley.
The Watford scholar has impressed on loan at the Stones since he joined in November and was part of the side which progressed to the FA Trophy semi final at the weekend with a 2-1 win over Conference side Cambridge United.
Smith said: "I am delighted. Everyone thought we wouldn't have a chance but we always knew we did as we beat a Conference side Barrow a few rounds before. It was a great result.
"Everyone is getting excited about the semi-final and we are happy with the draw. We feel we are a match for them."
The semi final with Newport County will be held over two legs on March 10 and 17 but Smith's red card against Dartford on February 21 means he will serve a three-match ban starting on March 6.
Smith will miss the away leg due to suspension but because Wealdstone progressed to the semi final of the Middlesex Senior Cup this week, it means he will be available for the second leg against Newport, which is at Grosvenor Vale.
The 18-year-old said: "I am definitely disappointed because everyone wants to play at Wembley and I really want to help the team get there.
"I am suspended for the first game but should be available for the second leg so hopefully I will play a part.
"Wembley is an amazing stadium and obviously you always watch all the finals there and now I know I am so close to possibly playing there.
"If we did reach the final and I was selected, it would be a dream come true."
Smith, who finished runner-up on Sky's Football's Next Star, is a second-year scholar at Watford and unlike fellow Wealdstone loanee Tommie Hoban, has yet to find out if he will be given a professional contract by the Hornets.
The midfielder said: "I haven't heard yet but I am trying not to think about it. I'm trying to put it to the back of my mind and not let it effect my performances."
Watford manager Sean Dyche has this week praised Wealdstone and their manager Gordon Bartlett, who has also welcomed the likes of Marvin Sordell, Gavin Massey, Theo Robinson and John-Joe O'Toole on loan.
Dyche said: "It is a good challenge for them and obviously it is real football, it is the physical side of first team football.
"We have used Wealdstone well in the past and Gordon always looks after our players properly and we have had good results from those loans.
"They are another two players who will hopefully mature from it but it is also important they perform properly for Wealdstone and they have done.
"Gordon has had positive feedback for virtually every player we have sent down there over the years.
"It is a good link for us and we enjoy using it and the players enjoy it because they have obviously seen that when young players go to Wealdstone, they often do well off the back of the loan so they go there with a positive mind frame."
Tickets for the home semi-final will be £15 for adults, £10 for concessions and £5 for under-16s and will be on sale at tomorrow's (Saturday's) game. After that, they will then be available at www.wfcmegastore.co.uk, which will include a £1 charge.
Coaches for the first leg will be running and will cost £18 for adults and £10 for concessions. Contact jeremy.albert@jetsetflights.co.uk to book your place.
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