Pheonix Sports are gearing up for the biggest game in their history this weekend.

The unbeaten Southern Counties East League leaders are away to North Shields in the fifth round of the FA Vase, knowing a win would leave them two ties from Wembley.

North Shields are second in the Northern League, which has provided several Vase winners in recent years, and they're favourites to go through to the quarter-finals.

However, Phoenix manager Steve O'Boyle believes his side can cause an upset.

"Don't underestimate us," he said. "North Shields are favourites to win it but we are undefeated in the league and we’ll give it our best shot. We’ll go there and we’ll give it a good go – and if we do win, I won’t be shocked at all.

Phoenix have already come through six rounds to reach the last-16, banking £7,000 in prize money along the way. That will help them bring their Mayplace Ground up to Ryman League standard for if they do win Southern Counties East and qualify for promotion.

But this week is about football more than finance.

Phoenix chairman Andy Mortlock said: "As a club, we’re so excited. It’s the biggest game in our history.

"Out of seven games, this is our sixth away draw, so we’re certainly doing it the hard way. We had a great result in the fourth round away to Bodmin Town. We took a crowd down there and we won 2-0 on the day. It was a brilliant day for the club.

"It’s just a bit of a dream, an incredible journey at the moment. It’s an unbelievable ride.

"I said to all the board after the last game that we’ve just got to enjoy this while we can, while it lasts. It’s incredible.

"As a board and a committee, we’re thoroughly enjoying it at the moment – and long may it continue. Why shouldn’t it?

"The priority for us as a club, with the money we’re spending, is the league, but the Vase, apart from a great run and dream because the final’s at Wembley, there’s also some nice financial benefits involved in a cup run, so we’re enjoying that as well."

As for O'Boyle, he could yet lead his team to a league-and-cup double this season.

He said: "Everyone keeps asking me the question ‘what would you prefer to win, the FA Vase or the league?’ and it’s an impossible question, really. Everyone at the club would love a day out at Wembley.

"You do start thinking about Wembley at this time but I don’t think we could be any further away at the moment. Newcastle is as far as you can be away and that’s what I’ve said to the players.

"We’ll go there, we’ll play them and we’ll see how we get on.

"It’ll be a great weekend and it’ll be even better if we win."

Phoenix warmed up for the game by beating Erith Town 4-1 on Tuesday night to reach the semi-finals of the Macron Challenge Cup. Goals from Yacine Gnahore (2), Michael Jenner and Carl Cornell sent O'Boyle's side through to the last-four.

Special report part 1: The story behind Phoenix's incredible unbeaten league record