Weymouth v Kidderminster Harriers
The FA Carlsberg Trophy
Second Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 12 January 2008
Wessex Stadium, Weymouth FC
Winning clubs receive £4,000

Simon Russell is looking to lay to bed the ghosts of last season's FA Trophy by winning the competition this season with Kidderminster Harriers.

Russell was part of the Harriers side that went 2-0 up in last season's final, but ended up losing the game 3-2 to Stevenage Borough.

Despite picking up a runner's-up medal instead of a winner's one, the 22-year-old midfielder still rates the Wembley final as the highlight of his career - but is determined to go one better this time around with Mark Yates' side.

"I don't think any of the players realised how important The FA Trophy was until we got to Wembley," said Russell.

"It was the best thing that has happened to me in my career and I am sure the rest of the lads would agree.

"There are a few of us who know what it is like to get to the final and that makes us even more determined to do it again.

"Playing at Wembley was pretty overwhelming and people tell you not to let the moment pass you by.

"I look back on the game and have some regret about how I played and think I should have done better, but the experience and playing in front of over 50,000 fans was amazing."

If Kidderminster are to make it to Wembley again, they must first overcome Weymouth in the Second Round on Saturday, something the midfielder knows won't be easy.

"We have been on a decent run recently, we went seven games unbeaten before we lost to Altrincham on Tuesday night, but it will be a difficult game against Weymouth," he added.

"I was injured when we played them at home in the league earlier in the season and we lost 2-0 and we know they will make it tough on Saturday.

"If we get to the final again then we will be better because of the experience of last season and we are all determined to get there again and put the record straight."