Seven-goal win provides cup inspiration for Aldershot
Ollie Harfield: 'Great memories of FA Cup'
- Published
Aldershot Town defender Ollie Harfield says they believe they can cause an upset at League One club Barnsley in the FA Cup this weekend, inspired by the memory of a famous victory three years ago.
The National League side are looking to reach round two for only the second time in 11 seasons.
The last time they got that far was in 2023-2024 under Tommy Widdrington when they famously thrashed League Two Swindon Town 7-4 in the first round.
Harfield was in the Shots side that day and told BBC Radio Surrey: "It was a memorable FA Cup for us all. I was just lucky to be a part of it.
"It was unbelievable to be honest. Playing in it was crazy. Obviously no non-league team had ever scored seven past a league side. Great memories, and hopefully we can go and make some more on Saturday"
"It was a mixture of shock to be honest in the dressing room. I think we were four or five nil up at half-time, and I looked up at the clock after 49 minutes and it was seven-nil".
The Shots went on to beat another League Two side, Stockport County, before losing 4-1 away to West Bromwich Albion of the Championship in the third round
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The Shots are now managed by former player Scott Davies and began this season by winning five of their opening 10 league games.
They have since won just one of the next six to slip to 14th in the table, and needed two games to get past Combined Counties side Tadley Calleva in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.
However, Harfield believes that experience might help them mentally for the trip to Oakwell.
"We're confident. We've been out of form and so have Barnsley to be honest. I know there's a two-league gap but we scraped past Tadley in the last round, and hopefully we can use that as confidence and go and cause an upset," he said.
"The FA Cup is difficult, with the lower teams causing you problems, and we naturally drop a little bit and it was a big game for (Tadley), so its roles reversed this time.
"We prepare the same, Scott gets us ready the best he can whoever we play, lower down or higher up, so we'll be ready. We're going to give it everything and hopefully have a good day".