Struggling to carry on from their league championship success last season, Dandy Town now find themselves just 90 minutes away from a berth in the FA Cup final.

And with tomorrow's opponents at Bernard Park (2.30 p.m.), St. George's, faring even worse in the league - the east enders are rock bottom and seemingly headed for relegation - Town will be eager to make the most of their opportunity.

Yet it was only just over a week ago that the Hornets were held to a 1-1 draw by St. George's in a league match at St. John's Field, and coach Andrew Bascome and company will no doubt be eager to avoid a repeat performance of a game they dominated but failed to win.

Town last hoisted the FA Cup back in the 1986-87 season, defeating PHC 1-0 in a replay.

Since then they have had little success in the competition and with a few of their stalwarts nearing the end of their careers, this season might present their last chance savour FA glory.

Of that winning team of `86, only veteran Paul Cann remains in the current squad.

While last week's match against St. George's did not exactly go according to plan, the league champions should be well aware of the east enders' persistence.

"I always knew it was going to be tricky, especially having to face St. George's back to back," said Bascome this week. "They are competitive. If you look back at all their results, they have only been defeated by the odd goal.

"For some reason, teams think that because they are at the bottom of the league, they can go out there and blow them off of the pitch.

"That's not so because if they can manage to put a good defensive unit out there, we will have to match them.

"We also have to be cautious with our own approach because we can't afford to duplicate our last performance against them . . . one slip-up in cup games and your in trouble."

New acquisition Janeiro Tucker should spearhead the Town attack along with Seyoum Tuzo, Darron (Duke) Simons and Cann.

Midfielder Reggie Tucker who persevered during the last match in the absence of the injured Devarr Boyles and Brendan O'Riordan should again prove pivotal in front of captain Lionel Furbert and Pernell Douglas, operating at the heart of the defence.

Asked about possible team changes, Bascome remained non-committal. "It's a possibility, but it wouldn't be wise to elaborate at this stage," he said. "We have to match St. George's in all departments, especially their desire . . . we have to match that right down to the end.

"We have to be more effective and play with a lot of commitment. We have to play right to the end of the match. We can't let off and underestimate the opposition no matter what because the FA Cup is different.

"It gives the small fish a chance to beat the big fish and they are going to be tough. Bernard Park is not a field where you can play them out of the game because its not a big field. So we have to play for the entire match until the referee blows the final whistle."

St. George's' player-coach Neil Paynter, who was elected Club President this week, said winning the match would mean a lot to both the team and its supporters.

"It would mean a lot in terms of bringing the community together and boosting morale. Obviously, our league campaign has not gone the way we would have liked so it is something to salvage from the season," he said.

But he said even though they matched Town in terms of the outcome of their previous game, tomorrow's game was an altogether different proposition.

"Whenever you can get a point away or even better three points you look to build on that," he said. "But it will be tough not only because of who our opponents are but also because it is the FA Cup. Any Cup game especially when you get to the semi-final stage is a tough match."

Paynter said he had a full squad from which to pick from and hinted at the possible inclusion of former Devonshire Colts midfielder Wayne Henry.

"Wayne Henry should be eligible to play but whether he does or not I don't know," he said.

The match is preceded by a Womens' FA Cup semi-final to be contested by Hemisphere Royals and Robin Hood. That game kicks off at 12.30 p.m.