The magic of the FA Cup will be alive and well this weekend for one former goal hero fondly remembered by supporters of Wealdstone and Wycombe Wanderers.

Simon Garner – who scored an important equaliser in the Chairboys’ 1994 Third Division play-off final against Preston – has happy memories of his time at both clubs.

And after the sides drew each other in the FA Cup second round this Saturday, he couldn’t help but feel excited at the prospect of the clash.

Garner, now 64 and based in Bourne End, said: “I had a great time at both clubs. Firstly under Martin O’Neill at Wycombe where we got promoted to the old Second Division and then almost went straight up the following season.

“It was at the back end of my career when I signed for Wealdstone who were by then all the way down in the third tier of the Isthmian League. I won my first league title there and then we got promoted again the following season.

“But more than the success on the field, they were great times with two great bunches of lads. The dressing rooms were very enjoyable and we had a good time together, on and off the pitch!”

The match, which will be screened live on ITV from Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale ground, is the first time the two sides have met competitively.

While Wycombe are the favourites, Garner says anything could happen.

“I guess that’s the magic of the cup,” he said.

“Wycombe are top of League One and in great form. Matt Bloomfield has got a good squad together and he’s doing a great job there.

“They will be expected to win, no doubt about that, but you can’t write off Wealdstone. There’s no pressure on them, even if they are at home, and we all know anything can happen.”

Garner, who now works as a self-employed painter and decorator, remains Blackburn Rovers’ all-time top goalscorer and joined Wycombe having played for the Ewood Park side for more than a decade before spending two years at West Bromwich Albion.

Last year he published his autobiography, entitled One Last Shot, where he reflected at length on a successful career, including cup success of his own.

Garner said: “Sadly I never experienced a good FA Cup run, but we did win the Full Members Cup at Blackburn in 1987.

"We were the underdogs a couple of times, including against Chelsea in the quarter-final, and then in the final we beat Charlton who were in the league above us.

“So it just goes to show, anything can happen.”

Simon Garner’s book is available from £12.99 at www.simongarnerbook.co.uk.

*Wealdstone came from behind to draw 1-1 at National League rivals Eastleigh and extend their unbeaten run to six matches last weekend.

The hosts took the lead after just seven minutes, but Sam Ashford headed home from Jaydn Mundle-Smith's cross midway through the second half to earn Stones a point.