Wanderers go chasing a place in the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup when they take on Stevenage at the Toughsheet Community Stadium tonight (Wednesday).
The young Whites are already enjoying their best run in the competition since 2018/19 after knocking out Chester FC, Tranmere Rovers and Leicester City.
Julian Darby’s side will match that season’s progress to round five (when Wanderers started in round three as a Championship club) if they can overcome a Stevenage side which is in round four for just the second time in their history and yet to progress further.
But Wanderers must brush off the cobwebs and hit the ground running to extend their run in the competition after playing just twice since beating Leicester on penalties in the first week of December.
“It seems a long time since we've actually had a game, to be honest,” said youth team boss Darby. “Unfortunately, our game on Saturday got cancelled due to the frozen pitches, which wasn't ideal, so the last time we played was 20th December, I think it was, when we beat Carlisle.
“We've done big games on big areas in training to try and replicate what you do in a game, but nothing ever actually comes close to actual match fitness on a full-size pitch.
“So, it’s not ideal, but I know the lads will turn up. They're a good bunch and they'll give everything they've got and hopefully it'll be a good game with a good ending.”
Having beaten Eastbourne Borough, Merstham FC and Gillingham to set up their trip to the Whites, Stevenage have played a couple of times since Christmas to stay second in the EFL Youth Alliance southern division with an unbeaten record.
And Darby knows his side will need to replicate their level of performance against Leicester – a Category One Academy – to record another win in their home stadium and join some of the top clubs in the country in the latter stages of the competition.
“I think that's something that'll stick with them in their memories,” added Darby, whose defending champions are currently sixth in the EFL Youth Alliance northern section. “That's happened, that's by-the-by now. We move into the next round and we've got Stevenage in our sights, which again won't be an easy game.
“We've watched them, they have plenty of pace, plenty of power and they've got nothing to lose. They come into a fantastic stadium, great set-up, and it's up to us to try and take the game to them.
“They’ve had some good workouts in the last two games but listen, it's a one-off game and it’s what happens on the night. I can't remember us winning four games in this competition. It's a long, long time, so let's see what happens.”
Tonight’s tie kicks off at 7pm with admission admission £5 adults, £3 concessions and £1 children, payable by card only at the turnstiles in block D of the Kia West Stand Lower.
Watch Julian’s full pre-match interview on Wanderers TV