Wembley Stadium has already been home to some incredible games this season; the Carabao Cup Final, the FA Cup semi-final between Man United and Coventry and soon to be the home of this year’s Champions League.
But none are quite as unique as Great Wakering Rovers booking their place in the FA Vase final after clutching a win against Worcester City in the Semi-final. Jake Gordon opened the scoring for the home side when Worcester’s Dylan Hart grabbed an equaliser for the visitors, but super-sub Max Gnandi sent the game to penalties late in the game. The Rovers went on to win 5-4 in the penalty shootout to send their team to the grandest stage in English football.
Great Wakering will go on to face this year’s title challengers in the Essex Senior League, Romford.
The hero of the hour Max Gnandi has scored 11 goals so far this season, however none would be as important as this one. His club will now be part of the history books as they step on the same pitch that footballing greats such as Harry Kane, Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand have – ready to make a name for themselves.
Image: @NickyHayesPhoto
‘It’s an amazing achievement for not only the club, but for a small village like Wakering to make it to Wembley is huge.’
‘It’s also a big achievement for the league to have an all-Essex Senior League final, it shows how strong and competitive our league really is,’ Gnandi stated.
On paper, it would seem like Romford had the advantage going into the final but, as Gnandi explains, ‘Wembley is going to be a huge factor and it is a final where anything can happen.’
As it stands, Marcus Bowers’ side are within reaching distance of also obtaining a spot in the playoffs, having three games in hand over the rest of the league where they currently sit 6th whilst their competitors at Wembley are sat in 2nd.
Here is what Gnandi had to say about their current situation alongside their current mindset, ‘We have a few games in hand to play and have the opportunity to make playoffs and potentially meet Romford, we’re taking each game as it comes, picking up as many points as possible.’
‘Obviously we are buzzing to get to this final, we’ve got quite a few young players in the squad, me included,’ the striker added. ‘For the most part it’s going to be the biggest game of our careers, but for now we have to shift our focus to the league and finish as high as possible.’
This achievement has come with new eyes looking upon them with great expectation now that the side from Burroughs Park have reached the tallest of heights, however this was not always the case this season.
‘We’ve been so-called underdogs for most rounds (in the FA Vase) and had some tricky away games where we’ve won late or through penalties, so we have really had to stick together and prove people wrong.’
‘Of course we’re going to do everything we can to get a result (in the final), but regardless after such an achievement, if this squad sticks together for seasons to come, we can go on to do great things for the club.’
Image: @NickyHayesPhoto
An achievement like this isn’t just shared by people within the club, but also the fans are a huge part of what makes moments like this so special. Lewis Searle-Cook is a lifelong Rovers fan who could not be happier with the state of affairs of his local club.
‘For a fan to go to Wembley, it’s a dream come true. Following my club home and away for many years and to see this club and the boys do well is exceptional. Myself, I am on cloud nine and cannot wait for the day to begin.’
‘Whatever happens on the day, it’s a day of celebrating the club’s record history maker.’
Not only does the FA Vase result in a history making moment, but Lewis also believes that the substantial, ‘intake of money is a huge prize and will help the club out massively in the long run,’ making this day an even more important day for both clubs involved, having the potential to achieve a huge cherry on top.
The transition from Burroughs Park is also something that not only the players will have to adjust to, but also the match-going fans who will be in attendance for the most monumental game of their club’s season will take some time getting used to the dramatic change in atmosphere.
The super fan is also hopeful for this to be a turning point in the club’s evolution where it inspires more fans to stick and follow the club.
‘Transitioning from Burroughs Park to the home of English football is such an honour to show off my passion for my club in front of thousands of fans.’
‘We’ve picked up a good fanbase on this run and hopefully this is a turning point where more fans will remember us and come back to watch each week,’ Lewis adds.
The Rovers fan also didn’t hold back in the belief he has for the club with Great Wakering already overcoming challenges to get to this point in the competition.
‘We have had the toughest run out of all the teams and being both favourites and second favourites, we must not be a team to consider easy. Fans will remember this and hopefully, regardless of the outcome, they will keep supporting us through thick and thin.’
The final will take place on the 11th of May at the end of the current league season where both teams have the potential of also facing each other in the playoffs of the Essex Senior League. This game has all the hallmarks of an absolute classic, underneath the stands of Wembley.
No matter what happens – this will be a monumental day for Essex football.
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