GREAT Harwood are still on the FA Cup trail after they saw off Oldham Town in the first qualifying round on Saturday.
The Robins have now earned a tidy £3,750 from the competition, having won their three encounters so far.
And now they face a testing tie at Conference North promotion chasers Harrogate Town a week on Saturday as they look to claim a huge scalp.
"We played them when I first came to the club a couple of seasons ago and lost 2-0 but we will be the underdogs so we will just have to do our best," said boss John Hughes. "I can't believe we have been drawn away again - we have been drawn away in every round so far but it hasn't worked out too badly."
Hughes gave his side a game plan to cut out fellow North West Counties Division Two side Oldham - and it all went to plan.
Oldham are going well in the league having won all of their four games so far but Harwood knew how to stop them.
"I set my players a task," said the Harwood boss. "I know they have a really good midfielder so I got James Dean to keep him quiet; they have a lively winger and Jim Thompson and Darren Rodgers cancelled him out and Joel Burnside kept their front man quiet.
"That was the plan before the game and it worked perfectly."
Gordon Watson opened the scoring with a header in the 22nd minute before, three minutes later, John Eastham found the back of the net for what turned out to be the winner.
But the real hero was keeper Bobby Harris who saved a penalty. Oldham did, however, get one back to make sure Harwood were kept on their toes but they held on for an important win financially for the homeless club, who play their home games at Accrington Stanley FC.
And manager Hughes is hoping the success will make some football enthusiasts sit up and take notice of the Robins.
"We are a very young side, I would say the average age is about 19. They are raw and I am trying to mould them into a new side. I tried to do this a couple of years ago when I was first manager here and build a new side from scratch.
"In our first year, I aimed for a top eight finish and we came fifth and in the second year we got promoted, albeit by the back door. Then I left and now I am starting again with a new crop of lads who I think are exciting players but just need to gel together."
It is working in the cup - but the boss wants to transfer it to the league.
Harwood have actually only played two league games so far this season and have won one and lost one and are fourth from bottom as some of their opponents have played as many as six games.
"It can be soul destroying when you look at the table and see where we are," said Hughes. "But we have only played two league games and are playing catch-up. Of course, financially, it is good that we are involved in the cup but the league is the main thing."
They have a chance to make an impression when they travel to mid-table Cheadle on Saturday (ko 3pm) followed by a trip to Blackpool Mechanics on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm), who are below Harwood with three points from their five games.
"I am relieved to now get some league games under our belt and I have to hope we put in the same performances we have shown in the FA Cup. We need the points - and will hopefully get them."
