FA Cup second round: Kidderminster Harriers v Curzon Ashton
Venue: Aggborough Date: Saturday, 29 November Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and BBC local radio, score updates on BBC Sport website

Curzon Ashton celebrate after beating Exeter City in the first round

By Nabil Hassan

The Blues, the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, beat Exeter City 3-2 at home in front of 1,259 spectators earlier this month. Manchester United? They toiled to a goalless draw against the Devon side, roared on by nearly 70,000 in January 2005 before triumphing 2-0 in a replay.

Curzon Ashton may be punching above their weight but the Unibond First Division North minnows are certainly not suffering from an inferiority complex.

Having already beaten League Two side Exeter City, they are determined to make Kidderminster Harriers of the Blue Square Premier their next victims on Saturday.

Buoyed by their success against Exeter, Curzon are confident that they can continue their FA Cup run and make it into the hat for the third round.

That could result in them being drawn against one of the Premier League's big boys and the non-League outfit would like nothing more than coming up against near neighbours Manchester United.

First they must dispose of Kidderminster, no easy task, but manager Gary Lowe is positive his side can spring another surprise.

"It will be a big stage on Saturday and they have to go and perform and I'm confident they can," he told BBC Sport.

It's the biggest game we have ever had. The possibilities are endless if we win this one Chairman Harry Galloway

'"We're very competitive and a fit bunch and I have a lot of good players. Over the years they have become used to playing in big games and have played in front of crowds of 3,000 or so. This won't faze them."

Lowe is right to point out that his side are well used to playing in big games. Two seasons ago they came within a game of playing at Wembley in the FA Vase final.

And last season they only missed out on promotion to the Unibond Premier league by losing a play-off.

Formed in 1963 after the merger of two clubs, Curzon Road FC and Ashton Amateurs FC, the Greater Manchester outfit are a typical non-League team.

They include a smattering of former professional footballers who have so far struggled to make their mark at a higher level.

Players such as Matthew Russell (Manchester City), Alex Elliott (Stockport County) and Danny Whelan (Blackburn Rovers) find themselves at Curzon Ashton after being released by professional clubs.

They also have a healthy contingent of promising youngsters who Lowe is convinced could one day play professionally.

Centre-half Adam Jones and midfielder Chris Worsley are two such players who Lowe believes are talented enough to perform at a higher level.

Like other non-League players, the Curzon Ashton squad fit their football around day jobs, with Lowe's squad made up of an assortment of teachers, tilers and factory workers.

But perhaps the most interesting name in the Curzon squad is that of 26-year-old hotel porter James Ogoo.

Ogoo's journey to the second round of the FA Cup is almost as magical as the competition itself.

James Ogoo played against George Weah while playing for The Gambia

Born and raised in The Gambia, he used to observe English football with his family and friends.

"I used to watch FA Cup games with my dad and his friends and my brothers in The Gambia. We used to watch it and I would say one day I want to play in that competition," said Ogoo.

Midfielder Ogoo won three caps for his country and even played against former AC Milan striker George Weah while on international duty against Liberia in 2000.

He left The Gambia to fulfil his dream of playing European football and, after failing to make it in the Netherlands, came to England.

Ogoo was spotted while playing for Oldham and dreams of one day returning to that level and even playing again for his country.

"Football is my passion and I love playing the game," he stated.

"I came here to make a better life for myself. Everyone supports me, everyone encourages me and I'm happy at Curzon.

"When the right time comes you have to take it and maybe now is that time, this is my opportunity and I cannot wait.

"I want to play at a higher level, I want to see what the FA Cup will bring.

"I enjoyed playing for my country and have not given up hope of playing for them again."

Whether that opportunity to play at a higher level comes with Curzon Ashton remains to be seen.

The club are ambitious but chairman Harry Galloway, who has been involved with the club for 20 years, is realistic.

They have recently moved into a new £4m stadium, which can hold 4,000 spectators.

606: DEBATE Do you really think it is going to be easy against Curzon? They have knocked out a Blue Square North team and League Two team so far. grayisalegend

But despite their new ground, the club will not be getting carried away by spending above their means.

"Making it to the Football League with our finances is pie in the sky," conceded Galloway.

"We have got one aim at the moment and this is to make it to the Unibond Premier and then we will have a look from there. One step at a time."

Like his manager though, Galloway is confident of his side's chances on Saturday.

"It's the biggest game we have ever had. The possibilities are endless if we win this one," he said.

"There is a financial aspect that is nice. It puts us on the map, most importantly, and is great reward for the supporters and players.

"The furthest we have been before is the third qualifying round so to make the first round proper and now the second is fantastic.

"Being the lowest-ranked club, we've got nothing to lose and are confident."

So confident are Curzon that they expect about 500 fans to make the trip down to Kidderminster. Not bad considering the club average 150 supporters for home matches.

When people question the romance of the Cup you only have to look at clubs like Curzon Ashton and players like James Ogoo to realise it is a competition that is still cherished across the globe.

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