For Weston-super-Mare defender Michael Smith, the memory of scoring a stunning 30-yard goal for Northern Ireland against Germany is the pinnacle of his career. Now, at 38, he is chasing a different kind of footballing dream: guiding his sixth-tier club into the prestigious FA Cup third round.
From Frankfurt to the FA Cup
On Saturday, Smith will step out at a sold-out Dunmow Group Community Stadium, home to Chelmsford City, for an FA Cup second round tie. The venue holds just over 3,000 fans, a stark contrast to the nearly 43,000 who witnessed his "daisy-cutter" screamer give Northern Ireland a shock lead in Frankfurt's Waldstadion over six years ago. Despite the vastly different setting, the stakes feel just as high for the veteran full-back.
"I won't talk to you about the result but the goal was nice," Smith joked in an exclusive interview, reflecting on that night against Germany. "It's something to always look back on. You'll always have that feeling." That initial jubilation was short-lived, however, as Serge Gnabry equalised just 12 minutes later, with Germany eventually romping to a 6-1 victory in the Euro 2020 qualifier.
A Tasty Non-League Showdown
This weekend's clash is an all-National League South affair, with only 12 places separating Weston-super-Mare and Chelmsford City in the sixth tier of English football. The prize for the winner is monumental: a place in Monday's third round draw and the tantalising possibility of facing a Premier League giant.
"It's a tasty little one," Smith admits. "Both clubs are probably happy with the draw. Same league, big incentive at the end of it. We're under no illusions they're a good side." The two teams played out a 0-0 draw in the league back in August, setting the stage for a tightly-contested cup battle.
Smith is adamant that his team must not get ahead of themselves. "We're not looking past Chelmsford, we're not going to dream of getting a big club just yet," he stated. This Saturday marks 22 years to the day since Weston's last and only appearance in the FA Cup second round, which ended in a 4-1 defeat to Northampton Town.
Chasing a New Career Highlight
While cautious, Smith acknowledges the incredible buzz around the club and the potential for creating a new career highlight to sit alongside his German masterpiece. "We're delighted to get there, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a buzz around the club for it," he said.
"There's always those dreams of playing at an Old Trafford or Anfield which would be mental for a club like Weston," he added, acknowledging the life-changing financial and sporting rewards that a third-round tie could bring. Now in the twilight of a career that has seen him play for Hearts, Bristol Rovers, Peterborough and earn 19 international caps, Smith's focus is on enjoyment and achievement.
"At my age I'm just happy to be playing and enjoying football," he confessed. "If we reach the third round it would be another great achievement. Certainly for us we'd have never thought about getting to the third round."
He concludes with a determined note: "It'll be tough... but if we play our best I'd fancy us against any team in our league. There's no point in going there and thinking we can't win." For Michael Smith and Weston-super-Mare, the dream is alive, with the hope that this cup run ends more successfully than that famous night in Germany.
