Richard Ball is urging Lye Town’s crop of emerging talent to dream big as they hit the Wembley trail on Saturday.
No fewer than 12 Capelli Sport Midland Football League clubs will be seeking places in the last 64 of the FA Vase, the national competition for Step 5 and 6 clubs which culminates in a Wembley final in May, this weekend.
The Flyers host United Counties Premier North challengers Eastwood Community in a second round clash, one that has been earned by progressing past Sporting Khalsa, Birmingham OJM and Anstey Town.
Picture: Garry Griffiths – ThreeFiveThree Photography
Injuries and inconsistencies have contributed to Lye’s patchy start in the league but with the likes of keeper Reece Francis and midfield terrier Martin Slevin added to a predominantly young squad, manager Ball, a revered striker for Evesham United, Redditch United and Bromsgrove Rovers in his playing days, wants his lads to see the Vase as a chance to unleash their potential.
“You have to dare to dream,” said Ball.
“It is Wembley, our national stadium. What a dream it would be to play there and you have to dare yourself to believe it is possible.
“Yes, you need some luck but it is a competition that we want to go as far as we can in.
“We haven’t made the start we wanted to in the league. Injuries haven’t helped, we run with a small squad and we don’t pull players in and out from other teams to handle that.
“We felt we needed experience in the summer, to mix in with those younger lads who are 20, 21, but we have talent.
“Some of our younger boys have played 100-150 games in non-league now so they are building and pushing on as well. They have that platform here.
“We have the quality on paper. If they can just show that belief and will to want to be better, the best version of themselves week after week, then we will have a very good season.
“I will be the first to push them on to another club if they are doing really well and they are ready, and there is no doubt that four or five will go to Step 3 and above when they get older and wiser.
“We want to instill as much as we can into these youngsters. We aren’t a bad outfit, we’re not the best and we’re not the worst, but I believe in these lads.”
Lye’s is one of five all-Step 5 ties involving MFL clubs, including one where Premier Division rivals Abbey Hulton United and Brocton lock horns.
Cheadle Town entertain last season’s quarter-finalists and North West Counties League high-fliers Droylsden, West Didsbury & Chorlton welcome Prestwich Heys, while on Sunday Northwich Victoria host Northern League contenders Yarm & Eaglescliffe.
Four MFL Division One sides aim to oust higher-ranked opposition with Birstall United hosting on-song Hellenic Premier outfit Cinderford Town, GNG Oadby Town aim to go on another run at ex-MFL side Atherstone Town, Heather St John’s head to Sherwood Colliery and Gornal Athletic, who reached the last 16 last season, travel to Ashby Ivanhoe.
Premier Division duo Winsford United and Sutton United will look to avoid banana skins at Step 6 Holker Old Boys and Harrowby United, respectively.
Those who get through this weekend will be five stages from Wembley.
FA Vase, second round
Saturday, October 31
Abbey Hulton United v Brocton
Ashby Ivanhoe v Gornal Athletic
Atherstone Town v GNG Oadby Town
Birstall United v Cinderford Town
Cheadle Town v Droylsden
Harrowby United v Sutton United
Holker Old Boys v Winsford United
Lye Town v Eastwood Community
Sherwood Colliery v Heather St John’s
West Didsbury & Chorlton v Prestwich Heys
Sunday, November 1
Northwich Victoria v Yarm & Eaglescliffe
