Reaction from Bourne Town manager Michael Goode after their FA Vase victory over Atherton Laburnum Rovers
Manager Michael Goode hailed an 'unbelievable' day for Bourne Town Football Club as they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the FA Vase for the first time in the club's history on Saturday.
The Wakes won 5-4 in a sudden death penalty shoot-out in their fifth round clash against North West Counties League side Atherton Laburnum Rovers.
The match had finished 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes before a shoot-out where goalkeeper Dan Swan saved three penalties to secure Bourne's place in the last eight.
Goode enthused: "Swanny is playing some great football at the moment and both he and Junior Jones (goalkeeper coach) had done their homework and watched a lot of videos of them taking penalties.
"We try to be as professional as we can at our level but people like Junior step up to the mark and do that little bit extra in their own time which is fantastic.
"The second save from Swanny was just unreal. I was pretty calm but, when he then made that third save, I was off and running.
"It was just brilliant and an unbelievable day."
The victory also erased bad memories for Goode and coach Martin Bond on their last appearance in the fifth round of the FA Vase when they were in charge at Deeping Rangers.
The Clarets went down to a 3-2 away reversal at Willand Rovers after a long trip to Devon on a snow-bound February day.
Goode added: "We felt very harshly done by in that match so this has exorcised the ghosts of seven years ago with Deeping.
"It takes a long time to do something like that again and it does live with you for a long time so credit to all the boys and the supporters.
"It does feel like a little weight has gone off the shoulders because the pressure had been building up.
"It was a great day. We were so professional and the lads had their heads right on it."
Bourne had been boosted by the availability of centre-half Richard Jones ahead of the match after he won an appeal against his one-game suspension following his sending off at Gresley Rovers last weekend.
The dual registered Paul Malone came in to partner Jones at the heart of the defence with Brad Marshall missing due to a one-game ban.
There was also a start for Bailey Baker in an unaccustomed role at left-back after Brad Gothard withdrew on the morning of the game due to illness.
The Wakes had made a smooth journey north for the first part of a 290-mile round trip and found an excellent playing surface at Atherton's Crill Park ground.
Bourne had the advantage of the slope in their favour in the first half and began brightly as first half goals from Zac Allen and Malone gave them control of the contest at the break.
They sat off slightly in the second half and Atherton changed their shape before cutting the deficit as Bourne were forced to withdraw both goalscorer Allen and striker Tom Siddons through injury.
The hosts then levelled the match and both sides had chances before the match went to penalties.
Robbie Ellis saw Bourne's first spot kick saved with Swan then keeping out Atherton's opener.
Will Bird netted for the Wakes while Atherton opened their account by converting their second spot kick.
James Hill-Seekings shot over for Bourne but Swan kept his side on level terms with a sensational stop to keep out Atherton's third penalty.
Malone and Henry Dunn then both scored for Bourne with Atherton also being successful to send the tie into sudden death.
Zak Munton and Baker both converted for Bourne with Swan saving Atherton's seventh spot kick to send the Wakes through and spark wild celebrations in the visiting camp and the healthy band of travelling support.
Goode added: "I've played loads of games in my career but I was never keen on taking a penalty.
"We didn't have a list of penalty takers because it's just about asking on the day who is feeling in the right frame of mind to take one.
"We had put Bailey in at left-back and he's right-footed but he did really well.
"He hasn't played many minutes for us but he's been so professional. He has always got on with it, never complained or asked why he isn't in the side.
"He has wanted to bide his time so to stick his hand up for a penalty was brilliant. It snuck in and then Swanny was all over the last one."
The draw for the quarter-finals takes place this afternoon (Monday) at 3.15pm.