GOALKEEPER Dave Penberthy has a dream and a nightmare — the dream is playing under the twin towers of Wembley, the nightmare is losing the next two crucial matches and seeing the opposition savour the glory.
Exbourne-born Dave, 32, plays for Taunton Town. To get to Wembley his team must first defeat Tiverton in a two-legged match in the FA Vase semi-finals — amateur football's FA Cup.
On Saturday Taunton are at home to Tiverton — and on March 20 they play them away.
'I have to say I feel comfortable. But it will be a hard task — being a reigning team they don't want to give up their title cheaply,' said Dave who lives with his family at Hatherleigh.
With keen rivalry between the two teams the matches will be tense.
Tiverton are favourites because they won the FA Vase last year and are the reigning champions. But this season they have already suffered two humiliating defeats at the hands of Taunton.
'We have beaten them twice and therefore have the psychological advantage,' said Dave.
'But I think they will come back hard because their pride has been hurt. I don't think they would enjoy losing any more than we would. Tiverton was very successful last year — and they are still a very formidable side.'
Dave's first competitive match was at the age of nine for Exbourne and Jacobstowe Under 16s where he played right wing. Dave went on to play for Hatherleigh, Chagford and Barnstaple Town before joining former Plymouth Argyle manager John Hore at Torrington. This season he moved up the M5 as Taunton's keeper.
'I have had no training or coaching. It is the sort of thing that came naturally to me,' said Dave.
He enjoys the position but knows the buck stops at the goalmouth.
'When you make a mistake people can see because it goes in the back of the net. So long as you keep up the concentration and keep your position right you have a chance.'
If all goes well on Saturday those goalposts at Wembley will be a step nearer for Dave.