Martin Longworth says Hartpury University FC are close to dreaming of a trip to Wembley following their 2-1 win over Clevedon Town in the FA Vase.
Hartpury reached the FA Vase fourth round for the second season running after they produced an inspired second half comeback to beat Clevedon.
A Ben Baxter double helped a 10-man Hartpury advance against a 9-man Clevedon side who play a division higher than themselves, which Longworth couldn’t be prouder of.
“I loved to see the confidence we had on the ball, just breaking them down, sucking them out, we thoroughly deserved the game.
“I thought we dominated the ball and territory, which made for a hard, but easy half time team talk.
“It is great for the boys to keep saying that they can play higher level opposition and we can beat them,” Longworth said.
Top scorer King Baidoo picked up his second red of the season, meaning he will miss the next four matches.
But this victory means Hartpury are a step closer to a dream chance to play under the arches at Wembley, but Longworth isn’t ready to dream just yet.
“If we can get through this one, I think you can start to dream a little bit.
“We got to this stage last season. Yes, we played a few more games, but once you can count it on your hands, you are really close.
“The task at hand now is Falmouth.”
“We can dream, but we have got to get through this one, and then you can start to dream,” he said.
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Hartpury have a 400-mile round trip in the fourth round as they travel to Toolstation Western Football League side Falmouth Town.
It will be a third straight tie against a team from this division, with Hartpury passing every test thus far, but Falmouth are currently unbeaten in their last five matches.
“There is no tougher opposition than Falmouth.
“It will be a 400-mile round trip, Friday night stay over, so it is going to be really tough.
“If we can get on the right side of it, it should be a nice trip home on the bus.
“If we don’t, then, hopefully, it is just a really good memory,” he said.
The task at hand for Longworth and his side will be one of their toughest as they prepare to face the biggest crowd they have played in front of to date.
There is expected to be a crowd of just under a thousand, which Longworth is hoping his side will relish.
“They’re a very good side, and there should be 700 plus down there as well that should make for a great atmosphere.
“We don’t get that number at home games. We don’t play in front of those large crowds, so it’s going to be a fantastic occasion,” he said.
Longworth will have an arsenal of experience to call upon for this Vase fixture, with a host of players who have had the chance to play under the arches in this competition before.
Most notable is assistant manager and attacker Michael Symons, who made his maiden Wembley appearance with Hereford FC in the FA Vase in 2016.
Longworth is hoping that experience will help the younger players through the next game and further in the competition.
“We are really lucky in our whole club. Ian [Richardson] was my assistant last year, and he’s played at Wembley. Symo [Michael Symons], my assistant this year, played at Wembley for Hereford.
“There’s loads of experience sprinkled around the organisation.
“It is great when we have 16–17-year-olds and some older lads, 20-21.
“We’ll be relying on him [Symons]. He is a fantastic member of the team, and everybody values what he can offer,” he said.
