Quarrymen are digging deep for A shot at glory
KIERAN BAGGS says his Corsham Town side just love playing the role of underdog – now he’s hoping to complete one more FA Vase giant-killing act to seal a fairytale trip to Wembley.
The Quarrymen have beaten all the odds to continue their record run to the last eight where they host Combined Counties big guns Ascot United on April 1.
Saturday’s victory at Peacehaven & Telscombe was the Hellenic Leaguers’ fourth Vase success away from home this season and their fourth by virtue of penalty shootout.
Now talented boss Baggs is hoping his bravehearts can save up one last big performance to stun the much-fancied Yellamen and clinch a dream trip to Wembley for the whole Wiltshire town to enjoy.
“I think we’ve been the underdog in every game we’ve played,” the former Trowbridge Town and Melksham Town boss told The NLP. “So, for a small club like Corsham Town to get through so many of these hard-fought games in the Vase and reach a semi-final, just one game from Wembley, is an incredible achievement.
“For four of our ties to go to penalties shows just how close and competitive these Vase games have been.
“Ascot, though, will come here as huge favourites. They’ve got players who played in the Football League and facilities
FA VASE SEMI-FINAL DRAW
so superior to ours, they’ll be expected to blow us away.
“But this is a free hit for us, and if we can all pull together and produce one more big performance then who knows what can happen?”
The Quarrymen need not look far to realise what can be achieved on the back on a rousing Vase run.
Neighbours Chippenham Town, situated just four miles away, reached the final at Wembley back in 2000, losing 1-0 to Deal Town.
They now play in Na
Congleton T v Newport Pagnell Corsham Town v Ascot United Ties to be played Saturday, April 1
tional League South and Baggs believes his side can follow the same legacy and provide the club’s ambitious new owners with a platform for a bright future.
“Those pictures of Chippenham walking out at Wembley are still renouned in these parts and will last a lifetime,” Baggs added.
“Getting to a semi-final and playing in front of 1,500 people is incredible and can catapult a club like Corsham.
“It worked for Chippenham, they kicked on and now the sky’s the limit for them.
“The local community have been incredible – we’d love to do it for them too. Crowds have already gone up from around 120 to over 500 for our last two Vase games and we’re hoping to attract even more for the semi-final.
“The town are buzzing. Anyone who likes to watch a local game of football, this is the place to come on April 1. It really doesn’t get any better for a club like ours.
“For our club to play at Wembley would be a dream for everyone. We’ve got to be ambitious and we’ve got to dream.”