DENTON HAS VASE VALUE
EXCITED Craig Denton says Hallam are ‘buzzing’ to continue their history-making Vase run next month.
The Sheffield club are the second oldest football club in the world and have gone on to record their best ever FA Vase run this term after a 3-1 win over Northern Counties East League rivals Silsden saw them reach the last 16. Next up is a home tie with United Counties Premier North leaders Lincoln United, and Countrymen boss Denton is relishing the prospect of moving another step towards the Wembley dream. “We’ve worked really hard in our FA Vase games so far and the support has been outstanding and that has driven us on,” Denton said. “We’re excited to play Lincoln as they’re in the same step as us, and we’re familiar with them.
“They’re going to come to Sandygate and make it a tough day at the office for us, but we’re buzzing for the fixture and can’t wait for it to come along.
“We’ve had an opportunity for our large squad to get game time with our cup run, and everyone contributing has been one of the main things that has stood out. I think the draw has been good to us, we’ve been mainly at home which has been a positive.”
“The last game against a powerful and strong Silsden side was a standout performance. To go 1-0 down and get back in the game and win 3-1 was exceptional. I think the pressure from having high attendances adds to the occasion as players need to stand out and be counted and they’ve done that.” Denton is full of praise for the supporters and volunteers who have driven the Countrymen’s Vase run and he insists he wants to continue rewarding their loyalty. “Having the fans come out in their hundreds for the cup games and support us has been really good,” he added. “This is the furthest the club has got in the Vase, and I want to thank our volunteers who have played a huge part in getting the games on. “We haven’t spoken about getting to Wembley as of yet, we’re taking it one game at a time, but we can’t not think about an opportunity like that. When your name is in the hat for the last 16 you need to dare to dream, but we’ll focus on our league game this weekend, re-group and see what the new week brings us. “We’ve had a few inconsistent results in the league that have been impacted by rotating for the Vase and we’re in mid-table, but we want to take the cup run in to the league and push up the table.”