Former Oxfordshire player Ian Moss is one win away from facing Phil Taylor in the Ladbrokes PDC World Championship at London’s Alexandra Palace, which starts on December 13, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The 50-year-old Witney plasterer will face New Zealand Championship winner Rob Szabo in the preliminary round for the right to take on the reigning 16-time world champion, but said the prospect held little fear for him.

“I don’t mind who I have to play,” said the Windrush Club and Izi’s Bar ace.

“I’ve always loved playing against the big boys and I’m looking forward to the chance.

“I always enjoy it, no matter what the result.

“I’d like to think I can go three rounds and maybe cause a couple of upsets.

“But I like to think that I’m in it now, so I’ve given myself a chance of winning it and I will go into every match looking to win.”

Moss will be appearing for the first time at the championships after qualifying in second place behind Matt Clarke from a field of 116 at the PDPA event in Barnsley last week, and admitted it was a huge opportunity.

“It’s just a dream come true,” he said.

“All I’ve wanted since I was a kid is to be a professional darts player and now I’ve qualified for the World Darts Championships.

“The last week I’ve just been flying and it’s been difficult to come down and concentrate on work.

“It still hasn’t sunk in and I’m not sure it will until I get to Alexandra Palace.”

Oxfordshire’s Dennis Smith goes straight into the first round where he faces a big name in Adrian Lewis, the two-time world champion from 2011 and 2012.

OXFORDSHIRE’S Deta Hedman has been drawn against fellow England player Lorraine Farlam in the women’s quarter-finals at the Lakeside World Championship on Tuesday, January 7.

Hedman is seeded No 1 for the competition.