Brett Ormerod last night summed up the emotions of a jubilant city preparing for one its greatest ever days when he said: "It just shows dreams can come true."

Ormerod was the hero for Saints as they defeated Watford 2-1 at Villa Park to book their place in the FA Cup final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 17.

It will be the club's first appearance in the final of the world's greatest club knockout tournament since the won the trophy for the only time in their 118-year history in 1976.

The 26-year-old striker scored the first and created the second as Saints earned the right to face Arsenal in the final and guaranteed themselves a UEFA Cup spot for next season.

Ormerod, who hadn't scored in his last 23 Saints appearances since netting six times in October, said: "In October 1999 when I was at Blackpool I broke both the bones in my leg.

"It was the lowest point of my career but I bounced back and at Blackpool we won promotion and I have gone on from there.

"When I was in hospital with the broken bones I didn't ever think I would be scoring, let alone playing, in an FA Cup semi-final.

"It just shows dreams can come true."

He continued: "I'm now looking forward to going back to the Millennium Stadium. I scored the last one when we won 4-2 (against Orient in the Third Division play-off final) and got promotion.

"The ground wasn't full that day and it will be nice to go there with a full stadium.

"There is a massive massive fan base here and a lot of people underestimate that.

"I didn't realise myself until I came here but the fans are great and for them it will be nice to watch a cup final."

Despite his lack of goals, Ormerod has formed a fruitful partnership with leading scorer James Beattie and finally got the rewards his efforts so richly deserve.

"I felt a couple of my performances this year have been alright," said the man who joined Saints in December 2001 for £1.75m from Blackpool.

"I've played well but just need a few more goals, but there are more strikers than just me in that position but I got one and hopefully that can kick-start me off now.

"People have been telling me they have put money on me to score, which is a bit more pressure - so I've had a bit of a goal drought to try and lengthen the odds for them!

"So at least this goal should shut them up for a start, but I'm more bothered that we won.

"I was just glad for the team. I guess we were just more relieved at the end of it all."

He added: "Watford made it tough for us but the lads kept going and got the result we wanted and we are looking forward to the final.

"Things can turn with the first goal in the FA Cup. Watford are a First Division team but they played superbly and might be a bit aggrieved to have lost.

"The first goal was so important and thankfully I finally got one!

"It's an unbelievable day. The lads are ecstatic and we'll have one or two beers and enjoy the atmosphere."