JON Davoile says he would never have dreamed of playing in an FA Vase semi-final when he swapped Larkhall Athletic for Highworth Town last summer.

Davoile captained the Larks to two Toolstation Premier Division titles in four years but left the club after the latter saw them promoted to the Southern League last term.

The 31-year-old was unable to commit to life in a higher division and Highworth boss John Fisher moved quickly to snap up the midfielder’s services once they became available.

Davoile says the move to the Elms has gone better than he ever could have expected as they prepare for the first leg of their semi-final against Northern League Division One outfit North Shields.

“With Larkhall going up it was going to be difficult for me with all the extra travelling because of my work commitments,” said Davoile, who has plenty of Vase experience with Larkhall.

“Living in Swindon, Highworth fitted the bill but I never would have expected us to do what we have this season, I don’t think anyone did.

“We got to the last 16 of the Vase with Larkhall last season and lost to Sholing. They ended up winning it, so I know the challenge that’s ahead and the standard of team that it takes to win it.

“We will have to go some to beat North Shields. They are the favourites and we will be the underdogs. We are just a small team in the south whereas they’ve got the budget, but we know that on our day we are capable of beating anyone.”

It has been two weeks since Highworth booked their place in the last four with a heroic quarter-final replay win at Tadcaster Albion in York, and Davoile says the semis all they have been able to think about since.

A makeshift Highworth side were thumped 5-1 at home by Wootton Bassett on Tuesday and Davoile thinks that result can help them catch North Shields cold.

“This week has felt like an age to get through. Without doubt it’s the biggest game in our history so we just can’t wait to get out there now and play,” said Davoile.

“When you get this far in the Vase the games come quite thick and fast and with us having to go up to Tadcaster for the replay, we haven’t had that long to wait.

“Ever since then we’ve just been focused on this game and I don’t think you can take too much from that match in midweek.

“Our first-choice goalkeeper, Gary Stevens, played a half and (top scorer) TJ Bohane played but probably the rest of the lads won’t be in the starting 11 come Saturday.

“Hopefully North Shields have taken a look at that and come down thinking it’s going to be an easy ride and we can give them a bit of a shock.”