There is no talk of holding their Cornish hosts to draw and then beating them at Surrey Street next week. Willcock wants a victory in both legs. However, he is prepared to adapt that strategy if conditions dictate.
“We aim to go out and win. That’ll be our mindset at 3 o’clock tomorrow (Saturday) but we’ll see how the game develops and our thinking could change accordingly,” said Willcock
“Before this season St Austell had never been past the qualifying rounds of the FA Vase and suddenly they’re in the semis and challenging for their league title. There’s clearly been a massive investment in the club and I see them as the Shaw Lane Aquaforce of the South West. There’s been a concerted effort to put them on the map.
“But I also see parallels with Chorley, who we played in the FA Cup. St Austell are a very big, strong, physical team with some real experience. Four of their players were previously at Truro who got to the Vase final in 2007 beating Curzon Ashton in the last four.
“Anyone who gets to this stage of the competition has to be good. It’s going to be a major challenge for us but one we’re looking forward to.”
Willcock has the luxury of a full squad to choose from. Despite the punishing schedule of two games a week the Hillmen have steadily built momentum. No one wants to miss out on the last few weeks of what is already a momentous season.
As well as progressing in the Vase North End have reached the semi-finals of the NWCL cup and won 18 of their last 19 league matches. If they can take advantage of their games in hand they will easily pass Runcorn Linnets to go top of the NWCL premier division.
However, the manager has no time for self-congratulation. “Yes it’s a very, very good run but we’re still eight points behind Linnets. Even though we’ve had a very good season so far there’s still a lot of work to be done. We’ve won nothing yet.”
Glossop have already had a look at St Austell’s Poltair Park home. Willcock says it is similar to Colne or Atherton LR but has a 16ft slope from one wing to the other. The only cover is provided by one small stand. Floodlights were installed earlier in the season.
The Cornishmen are fourth in the Carlsberg South West Peninsula League but have seven games in hand on leaders Saltash who are ten points ahead of them.
Around 400 fans are expected to make the journey west and North End have sold their full complement of tickets.
The Glossop players are staying in Newquay. Willcock said: “The hotel’s great – right on the front. We’ll be out on the beach in the morning for a bit of a walk and I might even get the players to take a swim in the sea to wake them up.”