Blues take the luck with them

The 20-goal hot shot has been receiving positive messages as Clitheroe set their sights on the final at Villa Park.

"Any clubs we have played have wished us 'good luck' and my old manager at Bamber Bridge wished me the best as well," said the 25-year-old.

"Obviously in non-League circles people have heard about how far we have come but also some of the lads who live in Clitheroe have had people around the town wishing them all the best.

"It seems wierd but it is very nice!"

Neil maybe without his strike partner, Lee Cryer, who is battling against a hamstring injury but he can go it alone -- and is keen to get on the scoresheet as he did in the quarter-final against Chippenham.

Neil scored the first goal in the 2-0 victory to set up the tie against the Screwfix Premier Division leaders Taunton.

"I was a header at the far post. I was just in the right place at the right time.

"It was brilliant and I couldn't believe it.

"It meant so much just to win the game. It didn't really matter who scored though."

The forward, an accountant in Chorley, says it hasn't quite sunk in yet how far his side have come as they bid to go one better than the Clitheroe side of 1996 -- who reached the final of the competition only to lose to Brigg Town.

"I guess it will sink in on Friday, when we get on the coach," said Neil.

"We have been chatting about getting to the final and playing at Villa Park. I guess you're allowed to when you've reached the semi-final. We can't see any reason why we can't reach the final.

"We beat Chippenham and Chippenham have beaten Taunton, so the game is there for the taking.

"To get to the final would be a dream come true."

But first it's Saturday's trip to Taunton followed by the return leg at Shawbridge the Saturday after.

"The home leg clashes with the England match but hopefully we'll get a few down.

"If we come away with a result from their place, it should set it up nicely."