Isuzu FA Vase fifth round preview – Dom Johnson’s Winsford United revelling in Vase late show

By Andrew Simpson

One thing is for certain when the FA Vase resumes this weekend: Winsford United supporters won’t leave their game early.

It’s less to show loyalty, or prove they’re true fans, and more because they’d be almost certain to miss something.

“Late goals have been a theme this season,” co-manager Dom Johnson told The NLP. “We don’t plan it that way; it just keeps happening!”

There have been 14 goals in the Cheshire club’s four ties to date, half of them arriving after the 87th minute.

Resilent

Incredibly, Niza Chilufya has come on as a substitute and scored late in each of the past three rounds to help send Blues through to the last 16 of the competition for the first time.

Indeed, when South Liverpool rallied from 3-0 down a fortnight ago thanks to George Murray’s double, Chilufya duly netted straight from the restart to dash their hopes.

Johnson said: “We didn’t have time to panic because of how quickly we responded to them getting back to 3-2.

“I’m glad we did, because I dread to think how quiet that bus journey home would have been had we lost.

“These lads are resilient though; we play a high-risk, high-reward game that means we’ll always create chances.”

Third time lucky?

The pair met in an FA Cup qualifier earlier this term when West, chasing promotion from the North West Counties League (NWCFL) top flight, after extra time in a replay, and Johnson expects another close encounter.

He added: “Perhaps it will be third time lucky for us! We know a bit about them, as they do us, but I’d argue we’ve evolved as a team since those games.

“They’ve been to the last eight once previously, a couple of years ago, and for us to do the same as that would be history in the making.”

Enthusiasm

Together with co-boss Dean Jones, the duo has transformed its hometown club’s fortunes after taking charge just over 18 months ago.

After a miserable 202324 season at Step 6 ended with a reprieve from dropping out of the National League System altogether, Winsford stormed to promotion as champions from NWCFL First Division South last term on the back of a dominant 25-match unbeaten sequence.

They also matched the club’s previous best run to the FA Vase third round, a feat they’ve easily surpassed now.

Johnson said: “You can sense a real buzz around the place, and of course, winning helps with that.

“But what we do on the pitch must go together with the enthusiasm of the committee and volunteers off it – that’s been the big change.

“They’re all loving the ride in the FA Vase; it’s among the most prestigious competitions we can play in, and you’re excited for the draw no matter what round it is.

“I think every single one of us found an excuse to be near a radio to listen to the latest one!”