RUSSELL Penn is hoping to follow in his father's footsteps and become a Wembley winner.

The Harriers midfielder scored a vital goal in the 3-2 semi-final second leg defeat at Northwich Victoria to help his side through 4-3 on aggregate.

And the 21-year-old now has his sights set on emulating his father Mark, who visited Wembley three times in four years with Halesowen Town.

Penn senior, in Italy when his son scored against the Vics, won back-to-back FA Vase finals with the Yeltz in 1985 and 1986, as well as being a runner-up in 1983.

Russell Penn said: "I rang him up as soon as I got in the tunnel after the Northwich game and he was chuffed. He was a nervous wreck in his hotel room when we were 2-0 down.

"He keeps having a go at me as I tell him he's rubbing it in about his Vase days. But he's just keeping out of it at the moment and letting me have all the limelight."

The Penn family's sporting links will be further enhanced at the match with younger brother Michael, part of the Worcester Warriors Academy, cheering from the stands.

Russell said: "The rugby season has finished now so my brother and his rugby mates are all coming down.

"I had to get about 300 tickets for family and friends. I think we have already sold 23 to 24,000 and they are all from around the area. We just can't wait and hopefully we can bring the trophy back for them."

The former Scunthorpe player believes the team is capable of returning with the silverware, particularly after the character they showed in the earlier rounds. He said: "We were 4-1 up at half-time against Vauxhall Motors but then we took our foot off the gas and had to go to their ground, which isn't the nicest of places to go, and with Braintree away on a Tuesday night we have been to some horrible places.

"But, in saying that, we beat Exeter, Halifax and Northwich so hopefully it is our name written on the trophy. We'll have to wait and see."

But he knows Harriers will not have it all their own way and is expecting a tough afternoon.

Penn added: "We only played Stevenage a couple of months ago so we still know what they're about.

"On paper it's an even game. We finished relatively close to each other in the league.

"It will be tough but if we play to our ability we are all confident we can win it. I can't wait for it."