Deans have dreams of Vase push

Horndean manager Michael Birmingham followed US

Portsmouth's remarkable FA Vase run closely last season - now he is hoping his squad can enjoy a similar fairytale.

But the Deans boss stressed if his side aren't to make an impression, he at least wants a Portsmouth area club to put their name on the map.

Horndean host Wessex League Premier rivals Hamble Club in a Vase first round qualifying tie tomorrow.

Birmingham revealed how he joined in some of the USP celebrations on their way to reaching the semi-final last May.

He had a close connection to the club with son Harry, who moved to Moneyfields this summer, part of that record-breaking USP team.

Birmingham senior, below, said: ‘You’re not going to play any teams at a higher level then you’re at (in the Vase). It’s a great opportunity, but there are a lot of teams who are thinking the same.

‘If you have a look at United Services last season, they did extremely well getting through to the last four, it really gave everyone a buzz.

‘I was motivated watching it, obviously my son was involved, it was great.

‘The games they did win, I’d leave Horndean to go to meet Glenn Tunbull (then USP boss) and Pete Seiden (Moneyfields chairman), while celebrations were going on.

‘I’d go to meet them, have a drink and congratulate the players as well. It’s great, as much as there is a lot of rivalry around local football - there are six clubs (mainland PO postcode) in the Wessex Prem, you still want a PO or local club to do well. That really brought that on last year.’

Horndean will be welcoming a Hamble side sure to be intent on correcting a 7-0 league thrashing at Five Heads Park only last month.

But Birmingham is expecting a completely different challenge.

He added: ‘We played Hamble the other week and they had five players missing. We know Hamble is going to be a tough, tough game, they always are.’

Tommy Tierney hit a hat-trick but Horndean were still dumped out of the Hampshire Senior Cup at the first round stage with a 5-4 defeat at home to the Royal Navy. Evan Harris got the Deans’ other goal.