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FA Vase progress for Bourne Town after their victory over Sutton United




Creating club history is another step forward in the evolution of Bourne Town.

The Wakes booked their place in the last 16 of the FA Vase for the first time ever at the weekend after a 4-2 away success at Birmingham-based Sutton United.

It is treading new ground for Michael Goode’s side who are progressing on the pitch as rapidly as the club is developing off it.

Zak Munton. Photo: Dan Allen
Zak Munton. Photo: Dan Allen
Goalkeeper Dan Swan punches clear. Photo: Dave Mears
Goalkeeper Dan Swan punches clear. Photo: Dave Mears

Three years ago – on the same January weekend as Saturday’s memorable FA Vase victory – Bourne were beaten 8-0 at home by Aylestone Park in a United Counties League Division One clash which attracted a crowd of 94 to the JJ Mac Stadium.

Fast forward 36 months and Bourne took nearly three times that attendance in their travelling support to Sutton Coldfield in a crowd of 1,700 on Saturday.

Their backing was rewarded with a super success as the efforts of Goode and his management team is replicated on the pitch by his players to mirror the hard work off it of chairman Chris Good and the dedicated committee of volunteers.

Manager Goode said: “It was a great occasion on Saturday and we were absolutely blown away by the amount of support from Bourne.

“It was a special day for the club and all the committee absolutely loved it.

“They’ve got to have a dream because of everything they do for the football club and the players have so far delivered on every occasion in this competition.”

Manager Michael Goode. Photo: Dave Mears
Manager Michael Goode. Photo: Dave Mears
Robbie Ellis and Brad Marshall Photo: Dan Allen
Robbie Ellis and Brad Marshall Photo: Dan Allen

The victory was Bourne’s 14th successive win in all competitions as they target honours on four fronts this season.

They are second in the United Counties League Premier Division North after winning promotion last season and are also through to the semi-finals of the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy and League Cup.

While it might be unchartered territory for the Wakes, it’s a sense of déjà-vu for boss Goode who was in a similar situation six years ago when manager of neighbours Deeping Rangers.

He explained: “Although we won the county cup at Deeping, I would like to go at least one better and win one of those other ones.

“It is exactly the same scenario but, for now, we just want that to continue in all the competitions for as long as we can as well as the winning run that we’re on.

“The progress of the club has been unreal and it’s been about slow growth and momentum of the team which has been matched by the committee and what is going on off the pitch.

Brad Marshall. Photo: Dan Allen
Brad Marshall. Photo: Dan Allen
Goalkeeper Dan Swan. Photo: Dave Mears
Goalkeeper Dan Swan. Photo: Dave Mears

“That cycle then continues because you get bigger crowds and it creates a better match day experience which then generates a bit more revenue.

“It helps to bring in a couple of better players and the ones that are already there start to play better and it attracts a bit more interest.

“The renovation of the changing rooms then comes about because people are more motivated to do it and then you start talking about other projects with any money left over.

“We have keep striking while the iron is hot.”

Bourne were playing their first game since the Boxing Day victory over Harrowby United after the postponement of last Saturday’s trip to Lincoln United.

However, they were quick out of the blocks on the artificial surface and took a 10th minute lead when Richard Jones headed home from a Zac Allen corner.

Henry Dunn. Photo: Dave Mears
Henry Dunn. Photo: Dave Mears
Tom Siddons after scoring for Bourne on Saturday. Photo: Dan Allen
Tom Siddons after scoring for Bourne on Saturday. Photo: Dan Allen

They had another chance scrambled away shortly after before the home side equalised through Joe Gildea in the 26th minute.

In-form striker Tom Siddons restored their lead before the break with a close range finish after Allen’s effort had hit the post.

However, Sutton struck back to level on the stroke of half-time through Leighton Hines to send the sides in at the interval on level terms.

Goode said:“We always fancied our chances as any step five side would when they’re facing a team in step six.

“We’ve had Sutton watched but my main concern was that it was our first game for more than two weeks.

“We started really well in the first 15 minutes though and, if we’d got that second goal after taking the lead, it might have killed the game off.

Zac Allen. Photo: Dan Allen
Zac Allen. Photo: Dan Allen
Brad Gothard. Photo: Dave Mears
Brad Gothard. Photo: Dave Mears

“We then probably started playing the occasion rather than the match and that allowed them to build some pressure which gave their crowd a lift.

“We kept making the wrong decisions as a team about seeing out the half because we have been so good at doing that.”

Bourne regained the initiative seven minutes into the second half when Siddons headed home from a Martin Tudosa cross after a brilliant Wakes move.

Visiting goalkeeper Dan Swan then made a vital save from close range with 13 minutes remaining before Will Bird wrapped up the win late on when he converted after a cross had been turned into his path.

Goode added: “We didn’t panic at half-time though and went back to doing the basics of what we do week in, week out.

“It was about finding a simple pass rather than something that looked good in front of a crowd and, in the second half, we did that.

Bourne Town celebrate after Saturday's win. Photo: Dan Allen
Bourne Town celebrate after Saturday's win. Photo: Dan Allen

“The third goal was really good. It was training ground perfection and, at step five, it doesn’t get a lot better than that so it was pleasing.

“We were in the ascendency then and went back to doing what we do really well. We managed the game, played simple football and got the ball forward really quickly.”

The victory was Bourne’s fifth successive away win in the competition– which culminates in a final at Wembley Stadium – after success over Blackstones, Long Buckby, Market Drayton and Northampton ON Chenecks with Goode hoping his side will return to the Abbey Lawn for the next round in the draw today (Monday).

He commented: “We would love a home draw and then everything is in our hands.

“We don’t want the occasion to be bigger than the actual match itself but, at that stage of the competition, a home draw gives us a massive opportunity.

“You never know what you’re going to get in the FA Vase. We’ve played quite a few step six sides this time around but the games have been really tough.

“There’s been no indication of how tough some of the games have been and Sutton were another side on Saturday who just fought their way for everything.

“There are some strong teams left in the competition but, if we’re at full strength, then we can be a match for anyone.”

Bourne return to United Counties League Premier Division North action tomorrow night (Tuesday) with a home match against Sleaford Town.



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