HOMEGROWN ace Jamie Smith has fond memories of Worcester City’s FA Cup runs in 2014 and 2015 – but he insisted: “Now it’s our time."

The left-back is set to line-up for City on Sunday (3pm) when they host Shepshed Dynamo in the last 64 of the FA Vase.

Five years ago Smith was on the fringes of the Worcester squad when they stunned Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena to progress to the second round of the FA Cup.

A year later the defender was an unused substitute at Bramall Lane where City went down 3-0 to Sheffield United.

Despite the first-round defeat the 22-year-old admitted it was an experience he would always cherish and said he was delighted to be on another cup adventure.

“It was nice to be part of the team that day,” Smith said.

“I played against Solihull Moors (in the third qualifying round) and that was the game when I had quite a bad head injury as I smashed my teeth.

“Because of that injury I didn’t play in the next couple of rounds but I made the bench for the Sheffield United game.

“The plan was to come on but (the then manager) Carl (Heeley) made a different change which was understandable as I was quite young at the time.

“It was just a great experience for me as I was about 17 or 18.

“Being from Worcester, this FA Vase run is quite a big thing for me.

“The memories are what stay with us so it is a case of going out there, enjoying it and getting into the next round. That’s the important thing.”

City reached the third round after beating Wellington, Highgate United, Pinchbeck United and Dunkirk. A victory over Shepshed will see Worcester pocket £1,125.

“It’s a massive opportunity for us,” Smith said.

“We are all looking forward to it and we all know that we can go far in it.

“It will be a massive day for not just us as players but for the club as well.

“We are all quite positive at the moment and everyone is buzzing for this game.

“We have been unfortunate in the past couple of years in the competition but now it is our time.

“It’s probably come at the right time for the club so there are hopefully encouraging signs for us going forward.”

Shepshed used to be City’s rivals in the Midland League Premier Division before switching to the United Counties League Premier Division this summer.

Their 12-match winning streak came to an end last weekend but are six points clear at the top.

“We have just knuckled down and focused on ourselves,” Smith added.

“We played them last year when they were in our league.

“Whoever wants it more on the day will go through.

“That’s what this whole competition is about.”