In his six years in semi-pro football, Ross Stearn has never played in the first round proper of the FA Cup, but he can see no reason why that curse cannot be lifted this weekend.

Sutton United go to National League Aldershot on Saturday looking to reach a shot at the big boys for the fifth time in eight seasons under boss Paul Doswell.

And Stearn could be instrumental in his own destiny as the winger is on a rich vein of goalscoring form having hit his third in three games in last weekend’s 3-1 win at Bath City.

Magic of the FA Cup still strong in Dos - Sutton United call the Shots

Craig Eastmond and Craig McAllister also got on the scoresheet, lifting United to 10th in the National League South table.

But now it is all about the FA Cup, and Stearn knows there is pressure, despite being the underdogs.

He said: “I don’t think it is a bad draw – they get a good crowd and they play on a great surface.

Surrey Comet:

Off the mark: Craig Eastmond opened his goal-scoring account for Sutton United in Saturday's 3-1 win at Bath City     Picture: Paul Loughlin

“There will be pressure on us to get into the first round proper because there is a lot of money at stake – but it’s not as bad as it looks on paper.

“We have every chance of going there and getting a result, or bringing them back to our place.”

Aldershot share their ground with the U21s of Premier League Chelsea.

The Blues help maintain the pitch to provide their young stars with the best surface possible.

Stearn believes this can play directly into United’s hands.

He said: “No disrespect to Hemel [who United beat in the previous round of the FA Cup], but the Aldershot pitch is excellent.

“It really suits our style of play, because we like to get the ball down.

“We struggled to do that at Hemel, but we still brought them back to Gander Green Lane, so maybe we can go one better on a better surface.”