The Emirates FA Cup

All players dream of an Emirates FA Cup run but Curzon Ashton manager John Flanagan has admitted that even he goes to bed contemplating reaching the third round.

Curzon Ashton needed a replay to see off ninth-tier Westfields, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, in the first round but have been rewarded with a home tie against AFC Wimbledon.

The National League North side will also be welcoming the BT Sport cameras to Tameside Stadium on Sunday with a potential tie against a Premier League side just 90 minutes away.

Curzon Ashton v AFC Wimbledon The Emirates FA Cup Second Round Proper 12noon, Sunday 4 December 2016Tameside Stadium, Curzon AshtonLive on BT Sport

"I go to bed thinking about it every night. Whilst it will be very difficult, we are going to have to be at our best and we will need some luck here and there," said Flanagan.

"We will rely on Wimbledon to take us lightly, there's various factors that can influence things and level off the gap that's in the league positions.

"But if you can get through, the potential financial reward - we could get amounts of money you could not have dreamed of six to eight weeks ago.

"It puts us in an unbelievable position where you could get a big name. We all dream about an FA Cup run, a run with a Premier League club would be unbelievable but it's a long way off."

Ashton have not had preparations go completely their way in the build-up, they suffered a 2-1 defeat on Monday night in the Buildbase FA Trophy against Worcester City. 

But the distraction could work in Flanagan's favour as it allows the squad to treat the match as they would any other despite the excitement and buzz in the area. 

"It's difficult when you play a game in the week before a big game," added Flanagan. "It was surprising how some injuries suddenly disappeared.

"We played in The FA Trophy on Monday night so we have not had a great time to focus.

"We had a meeting of the coaching staff but we haven't spoken to the players about it yet, we've tried to keep it as normal as possible.

"We will be speaking to the players and our training session will be Thursday evening and that will be it.

"There's bound to be one or two lads who are anxious, that's inevitable, but that's for me to recognise and prepare for that to make sure they don't let the occasion pass them by."

Emirates FA Cup historyThis is only Curzon Ashton's second appearance in the FA Cup second round. In 2008-09 they beat League Two side Exeter City to reach round two but lost to National League's Kidderminster Harriers.

AFC Wimbledon were formed in 2002 following Wimbledon FC's move to Milton Keynes and the two teams met in the FA Cup second round in December 2012 with MK Dons winning 2-1. They reached the third round for the first time in their history last season where they were beaten 2-1 by Liverpool.

Did you know?Curzon Ashton have been promoted twice since Flanagan took charge at the start of the 2011-12 season, rising from the step four to step two of the football pyramid. In October 2016, 14 years after their formation, AFC Wimbledon moved above MK Dons in the football pyramid for the first time. The club are currently seventh in League One.

Ones to WatchStrikers Lyle Taylor and Dominic Poleon have scored nine goals each already this season, with both having found the back of the net four times in cup competitions. It could be a busy afternoon for Curzon Ashton goalkeeper Cameron Mason coming up against that AFC Wimbledon pair. The stopper did save a penalty in defeat to Worcester City on Monday though.

The prizeWinners of any second round Emirates FA Cup tie receive a £27,000 prize as well as a place in the draw for the third round where the Premier League and Championship clubs enter the fray.