It is set to be a landmark weekend for Wendron United FC as they play their first-ever game in the FA Vase when they host Bishop Sutton at Underlane on Saturday, September 25.
The FA Vase is a competition solely for teams playing in Step five and six of the non-league system. The finalists are rewarded with a trip to Wembley, the home of football.
Wendron United Manager Mike O'Neill is excited for the historic day for the club after the side decided to not enter last seasons trophy, he said: "I really am looking forward to the game, last season we toyed with the idea of applying and we didn't quite push it through in time. However, obviously, with the stuff that happened that year, it probably worked in our favour to set ourselves up to apply this year and now we are really excited about what will be a big day for the club."
Their opponents Bishop Sutton play in Division One of the Toolstation Western League and are currently sixth in the division with 18 points from their opening 11 matches. O'Neill hopes his side can play without any pressure on the big day: "It's a free hit, we have been in form in the league so I'd like us to continue that form into the cup and really do ourselves justice and play the way that I know we can and I am sure if we do that then we will be successful." He said.
Wendron have enjoyed a solid start to the South West Peninsula League season. They sit fifth in the table. From eight games they have five wins, a draw and just two defeats, against Falmouth Town and Liskeard who are both in the top three. O'Neill was dissatisfied with the performance of his side in their 3-2 loss against Liskeard in their last game. He said: "I was disappointed with Saturday, I feel we did ourselves a disservice, Liskeard in my opinion fully deserved the win. They put us to the sword in the first half. We started really slow and we paid the price for it.
"Liskeard with the exception of Falmouth have been the only team to punish us for our own mistakes and fair play to them we came out for the second half like a different beast and managed to get two goals back. In the end, I think on another day we may have got an equaliser.
"The form up to last weekend has been fantastic. We are finding out feet and I think we have upped our base level of expectations for the season and I don't expect us to drop below that and our attitude to winning."
The excitement of the manager is shared by Wendron United Chairman Peter Thorne. He reflected on how far the team come had come in a relatively short period of time. He said: "It is an amazing achievement to get to this stage in our short careers. The club has only been established for 35 years and to realise you are playing in the FA Vase is an amazing achievement by the club over the 35 years. It is a special moment, we know that it's like the very first game of your career.
"The place is buzzing. We have had people up there cutting pitches at eight o'clock this morning, we've had people out there marking the pitches. The place is looking stunning, to be honest. We are so pleased and honoured to be in the draw.
"The feeling has gone throughout the club, the levels of football are so different at Wendron going from the South West Peninsula League down to Trelawney League four. We have five teams on a Saturday, everybody supports everybody."
It is a big occasion for all at the club but Thorne is not letting any nerves get to him: "I don't get nervous, that day has gone for me to be nervous. Every day is a success to me. You just bring it on and whatever is there in front of you you just take on and do it to the best of your ability. I have no qualms about tomorrow, the buzz is there and you just get ready to go again." He said.
If the game is level at full time the match will go straight to penalties without the need for half an hour of extra time.
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