FA VASE FINAL PREVIEW

WEMBLEY STADIUM, 11TH MAY 2024, 12:15PM

Great Wakering and Romford will both represent the Essex Senior League at Non-League Finals day at the home of football, Wembley Stadium!

Both teams are filled with quality players who have helped their respective teams reach the FA Vase final.

Romford's journey started in the second round, beating Crawley Green 2-0 at home, wins against Mildenhall Town (2-0), Stanway Pegasus (2-1) and Hilltop (3-1) followed, and in the semi final they edged out Lincoln United in the most dramatic way possible, a penalty shootout, with Jamie Hursit scoring the winning penalty to send his side to Wembley.

Romford players to look out for include:

Finley Dorrell, a young, exciting wide forward who has an eye for goal, Dorrell scored in Romford's losing effort in the play off final. Great at running in behind, but also great with a ball at his feet which makes him an effective winger, who loves to cause trouble for opposition defences.

Sam Deering, an easy on the eye footballer, a silky midfielder who loves to split defences with his quality ball playing ability. Deering also takes many set pieces for Romford, which have proved to be an effective way for Romford to score goals.

Scott Doe, a former professional former and considered a cult hero at Dagenham and Redbridge has used his wealth of experience to control the Romford back line and keep opposition attackers at bay.

Great Wakering's journey started ironically against Basildon Town (5-2), who not only play at Rookery Hill, home of Romford, but also formally managed by Marcus Bowers. A win against fellow Essex Senior League side Buckhurst Hill followed (4-3), a penalty shootout win against St Neots Town meant they were now in the 2nd round (the round Romford started their journey in).

Wins against Downham Town (2-0), Fakenham Town (3-0), Whitchurch Alport (2-1), Highworth Town (3-2) and a quarter final win against Falmouth Town (2-0) set up a semi final tie against many peoples favourites to win the competition Worcester City. A 1-0 loss in the first leg was over turned in the second leg by a 2-1 win, and a penalty shootout win meant it would be an all Essex tie at Wembley.

Great Wakering's players to watch include:

Ben Search, Wakering's no.10 has been a vital part of their teams success in the Vase, his wonderful strike against Falmouth showed his quality and his ability to show up on the big occasion and he will be hoping he can do the same at Wembley.

Luis Shamshoum, quick reflexes and great from playing out from the back, Wakering's shotstopper has proved to be a key part of his sides journey, he was the hero in the semi finals penalty shootout as his saved penalty sent his side to Wembley.

Callum Boylan, lethal in front of goal, his eye for goal has won many games for Wakering this season. He will be looking to follow in his fathers footsteps who scored at Wembley during his career, expect Boylan to be a constant threat who will cause many problems for the Romford backline.

Make sure to check the Essex Senior League X (formerly Twitter) account for all the latest updates and stories leading up to the big day.

We hope to see as many of you as possible there at Wembley enjoying the football and the beautiful weather we are expecting.