Ashford United Ladies are keeping illustrious company as they prepare for the biggest game in their history.

The Nuts & Bolts host Actonians in the Women’s FA Cup Second Round at Homelands on Sunday (1pm) and a quick glance at the draw highlights the size of their achievement.

Steve Howard’s side are in there with some famous old names, the likes of Leeds United, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.

The draw is regionalised until the Fourth Round, when WSL and Championship clubs - the heavyweights of the women’s game - join the party.

Ashford, who boast a 100% record at the top of London & South East Division 1 South, have won three matches to reach this stage.

They’ve beaten Borough Green 15-0, Headstone Manor 4-0 and Clapton Community 2-1 - earning £13,000 in prize money.

The Clapton victory was achieved with midfielder Danielle Alcani in goal after keeper Sharna Greenaway suffered an early injury.

They’ll bank another £8,000 if they upset Actonians and, with 30-goal striker Becky Wyatt in their ranks, anything’s possible.

“They play two tiers above us, so it’s going to be tough,” said Howard.

“They’re struggling in the league but it will still be very hard because they’re at that level for a reason.

“The good thing is we’re at home, so we’ve got a chance.

“We’re looking forward to it. If we turn up and put in a good performance, who knows? We may go even further. It would be great to keep going and draw a massive club.

“We went to Clapton in the last round and the crowd was 460, which is the biggest we’ve ever played in front of.

“Hopefully, we can get a crowd in on Sunday. We’ve got quite a few fans who used to just watch the men’s team who have started coming along to our games as well, and they’re enjoying it.

“We are starting to attract more supporters.

“The prize money is great as well. It’s gone up a lot in the Women’s FA Cup.

“Even if we lose on Sunday we get another £2,000 but we’re not looking at it like that - we want to win this game.”

Entry is £5 adults and £3 concessions, while under-18s go free.