YORK City midfielder Luke Summerfield needs no reminder of the FA Cup's magical powers ahead of this weekend's first round ties.

The world-famous competition has already taken 26-year-old Summerfield to the likes of The Emirates Stadium, White Hart Lane and St James' Park during his professional career.

Those contests have seen him rub shoulders with the likes of Robin Van Persie, Samir Nasri and Jermaine Defoe in the past and he is hoping the Minstermen can clear the first two hurdles in this competition to add to his fond memories of the Cup's third round.

Ahead of today's home tie with AFC Wimbledon, Summerfield said: "I've had some decent games in the FA Cup and I enjoy a good run in the competition. The one that stands out was one of my first when we went to Arsenal with Plymouth in the first round.

"It was my first massive game in the competition and, whilst it was a hard game, it was thoroughly enjoyable because, as a professional footballer, you want to compete against the best players. Aaron Ramsey stood out because he was head and shoulders above everything on the pitch even at the age of 18.

"Nasri obviously had natural ability and Abou Diaby's presence on the pitch also saw him come into his own. It was a great day out, not just for the squad, but everybody involved with the club and their families and we gave the game a right good go.

"At Cheltenham, we had a good run and got Tottenham away and everything leading up to that game and the week after was really good. We gave that a good go too but, obviously, the quality in the two teams was a bit different.

"People like Steven Pienaar were bossing the midfield and he showed his class as he does whether he's playing against a Premier League, Championship, League One or League Two club. We also played Newcastle home and away at Plymouth and all those players had their qualities, so I've been lucky with the third round draws I've had.

"Hopefully, we can get to the same stage this season. You always look forward to doing that as a player because you never know who you might get.

"All the big clubs are in it and you want to pit yourself against the best players and teams."

Summerfield added that a good run in the Cup can provide a boost for everybody at a football club, including players, who like himself currently at Bootham Crescent, might find themselves out of first-team favour.

"Getting to that third round can make a big difference at any club because you are aiming towards the tie whether you're in the team or not," he explained. "You work your socks off, because it's in the back of your mind to get into the team for that match.

"You never want to miss a game against the bigger teams in this country. It's also great for the club money wise and good for behind the scenes."

Summerfield reckons, meanwhile, that this afternoon's game can serve two purposes - maintaining City's interest in the competition and bringing an end to the second-longest run without a win in the club's history of ten games.

"It's a home tie, so it's got to be all about us, as it should be for anybody in front of their own fans in this round," he pointed out. "We are coming off a great away win and we need to get our home form up and running now with a first round win."

Summerfield was handed his first run-out under new boss Russ Wilcox as a 77th-minute substitute during last weekend's 1-0 home victory at Cheltenham, having recently fallen behind the likes of Lewis Montrose and Tom Platt in the pecking order for a starting place alongside skipper Russell Penn.

But he is now determined to force his way into Wilcox's plans, saying: "I am consciously working extra hard on the training ground because I'm desperate to get myself back in the team, but the boys playing at the moment are doing really well so, as long as the team is on a good run and moving up the table, that's all that matters.

"It was good to get back on to the pitch after a few games on the bench not coming on but that's football and you have to learn from it, whether you agree with decisions or not.

"It's nothing to write home about and you just have to get on with things. My attitude has not changed and you have to work hard whether you are in the team or not because you have to do justice to yourself as a professional footballer and I pride myself on that."

Summerfield was booed and the subject of sarcastic cheers by certain sections of the City crowd prior to being taken out of the firing line by Wilcox's predecessor but the Devon-born midfielder will not let the criticism erode his morale and confidence, insisting: "Whatever has happened has happened, but I'm really enjoying my time here.

"Whether I am playing in front of 50,000 of 2,000 fans, I know my professional standards, how well I have done and what I need to improve on. I'm doing that at the moment in training and trying to learn from my weaknesses.

"Football's a merry-go-round, as is seen by the change in managers, but you have to take everything as it comes and make yourself a better player."

There are a clutch of former Minstermen, now plying their trade at semi-professional outfits, who will also be hoping for a spot of FA Cup romance this weekend.

Ex-midfielder Shaun Reid was hoping to lead his Warrington Town outfit to victory over Exeter in front of the live BBC2 cameras last night, while AFC Fylde pair Michael Potts and Matty Blinkhorn will be plotting a shock at Plymouth today.

Tomorrow, David McDermott will be out to cause an upset as Worcester City make the short trip to Coventry while, on Monday night, BT Sport will be counting on the likes of Danny Blanchett, Ben Swallow and ex-Bootham Crescent trialist Brian Dutton springing a surprise for Havant & Waterlooville against Preston.