HELSTON Athletic will stage perhaps the biggest day in their history when they entertain Team Solent in the first round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday.

The club has made great strides in recent years under the management of Sid Taylor and his committee, and their hard work will be repaid when they host their first match in the prestigious national competition.

Club chairman Paul Hendy said: “We’re exceedingly excited about it, it has been one of our goals and objectives and next year, having played in the FA Vase, we will be eligible for the FA Cup.”

Officials at the club have worked tirelessly to bring the ground up to the required standard. Floodlights, the grandstand, dugouts and the pitch barrier have all been improved, and the Kellaway Parc playing surface is immaculate.

“The Cornish FA and Helston Town Council have played a big part too and now, fingers crossed, we can get a win on the day,” Hendy added.

The club’s kitchen will be open from 10am on Saturday, while match programmes are included in the admission price of £5 (£2.50 for concessions) – which is the usual amount for a league match. Kick-off is 3pm.

Rebuild South West are the matchday sponsors, while MSP Property Maintenance are sponsoring the match ball.

Members of the club’s youth teams will be ball boys and mascots.

Helston are one of four Cornish teams remaining in the competition after a 3-1 win after extra time in the second preliminary round at Portishead last month.

They are the only club in the county to have a home tie, so they are hoping for a big crowd to cheer them on against their opponents from Step 5, which is one level higher than the Blues in the FA’s pyramid system.

“Our first game under floodlights when we beat St Austell was special, the win over Falmouth in front of the Groundhoppers last Easter was special, but if we can win on Saturday, that will top the lot,” said Hendy.

Team Solent lie in mid-table in the Wessex League Premier Division, but have not been beaten since September 3. Recent results include 9-0 and 7-0 victories over Whitchurch and Hyther and Dibden respectively.

Blues boss Sid Taylor travelled to Southampton to watch them beat Brockenhurst on penalties after they played out a 1-1 draw after extra time in the League Cup on Monday.