WOMBWELL Town are enjoying their FA Vase run, after a fourth win of the competition, but are not thinking too much about Wembley at this stage says their manager Karl Rose.
Town, who came through the qualifying rounds, won 2-1 at Ashville on Saturday in the second round proper.
The NCEL Division One promotion-chasers are now in the last 64 of the competition which has a Wembley final.
They have been drawn at home to Hallam who are in the division above them. The third round game is due to be played on December 7.
It is the best run in a national competition in the coaching career of former Barnsley player Rose.
He played twice in the Reds’ run to the quarter-final of the FA Cup in 1999 but was injured for the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
He also scored for Scarborough in the FA Cup live on Match of the Day against Doncaster but was injured for their subsequent game against Chelsea.
Rose said: “Everyone talks about how many rounds from Wembley we are.
“But we have to take one game at a time.
“While we’re still in there swinging, we know we can beat anyone on our day.
“We’re a sixth tier non-league club at the moment and we’re in the last 64 with a lot of fifth tier teams so we’re underdogs.
“But we’ve won four games now and we will see how far we can go.”
Hallam are one of the best-supported clubs at NCEL level and have Czech Republic international Daniel Pudil in their squad.
Rose said: “I had a feeling we might draw Hallam.
“We wanted a home draw.
“Hallam get big crowds so they should bring a few fans.
“Hopefully it will be a really big crowd and atmosphere.
“They are one of the closest teams to us we could have drawn.
“It’s going to be tough. They have a good budget and very very good players.
“But we’ll keep enjoying the journey and we fancy ourselves against anyone.
“We beat Handsworth earlier in the run who are at a similar level to Hallam.
“There is no pressure on us. They will be favourites.”
After Jordan Kershaw’s opener was cancelled out, Jack Dando got the winner on the Wirral.
Jack Wilson was sent off with 20 minutes left.
Rose said: “Ashville were decent.
“We were on top in the first half and I was very disappointed to concede with the last kick when I felt we should have been 3-0 up.
“It was more cagey in the second half but we scored a fantastic goal.
“We had to dig deep with ten men and the fans helped us get over the line.
“The celebrations will live long in the memory. It was fantastic.
“The fans were unbelievable.
“I think Ashville usually get crowds of about 80 and there were 180 there.
“About half of them were supporting Wombwell and the noise when we scored was fantastic. We talked about it in the changing room. Some fans came on the bus with us.
“I am proud as punch for the players, fans and club.
“To get into the third round is a phenomenal achievement.”
