Home advantage is serious when it comes to knockout competitions – but Bourne Town are happy to be bucking that trend.
Their reward for last weekend’s gripping penalty shoot-out success against Atherton LR in the Isuzu FA Vase is a SEVENTH successive away trip in the quarter-finals.
“What we really wanted was a home tie for the town,” manager Michael Goode told The NLP.
“But we’ve proven we’re a good side on the road, and the relentless nature of our league from the top to the bottom has helped us with that – wherever you go, you’re in a game.
Dream
“We’ve learned how to handle that.”
The Wakes’ next stop will be Surrey, specifically Combined Counties League Premier Division South title challengers AFC Whyteleafe, for a last-eight clash on March 1.
It’s often said the route to Wembley is a long one in the FA Vase, and Monday’s last eight draw took place some 163 days on from a first qualifying round success against Harrowby United at the JJ Mac Stadium back in August.
Not that Bourne’s supporters seem to care; seats have sold out already on two buses for next month’s 300-mile round trip to the Leafe’s Church Road home.
Goode added: “It’s a dream for our fans, and for us.
“The backing we’ve had on this run is something else.
Contention
Bourne have never reached this stage of the FA Vase in 44 previous attempts, and they remain in contention for honours on four fronts.
They sit second in the United Counties League’s Premier Division North table following a 2-1 defeat at fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln United in midweek, halting a 19 game unbeaten sequence in all competitions that started in mid-October.
Goode’s side will attempt to reach the Lincolnshire FA Senior Trophy final on Wednesday, and are also through to the league cup’s latter stages.
He said: “There are no distractions.
“We don’t care what competition it is; we just want to win the next game, and then the one after that.
“I know the players have quality, but I’m about the people too.
“And there are loads of good ones in our dressing room.
“They’ve come through demanding situations before, and that’s exactly what they did [against Atherton LR].”
Heroics
No rival still standing has scored more goals than the Wakes’ tally of 22 in seven ties, led by star player Zac Allen with five, and they have netted late to prevail on three occasions.
Goalkeeper Dan Swan’s heroics in Lancashire – where he saved three spot-kicks to secure a sudden-death success – further demonstrated Bourne’s resilience.
Goode added: “I was exhausted afterwards but what a special feeling.
“We want more of that.”
FA Vase quarter-finals
Whitstable Town vs Whitchurch Alport, Hartpury University vs Erith & Belvedere, Andover New Street vs Heanor Town AFC and Whyteleafe vs Bourne Town.
Ties to be played March 1.
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