Hebburn Town manager Kevin Bolam has challenged his FA Vase winners to secure a quickfire return to Wembley this month.
The Hornets edged a thrilling 3-2 win against Ebac Northern League rivals Consett as their eagerly anticipated 2019/20 Vase Final was finally played.
Once the celebrations calm down over the next 48 hours, Bolam and his players will quickly turn their focus towards their next significant challenge.
Hebburn travel to North West Counties League club Warrington Rylands on Saturday as they look to continue their interest in this season’s competition and move within one win of a return to the home of football.
Bolam praised his side for the resilience they had shown in their eventful win against Consett – and urged his players to maintain their focus ahead of Saturday’s trip to the North West.
“We would love to come back but we realise we have a very tough task on Saturday at Warrington Rylands, who are a very good side.
“But we would love to come back down here again with our families.
“It’s the old scenario: one game at a time.
“Enjoy today, enjoy tomorrow, then focus on Saturday and take it from there.
“We will wrap the guys up in cotton wool and see who is carrying any knocks from today.
“We will look to go again when we arrive back in the North East on Tuesday evening.”
Bolam reflected on the remarkable events of one of the most entertaining Vase finals in living memory.
Pre-match talk had suggested that Hebburn and Consett would play out a classic and they didn’t let anyone down with a five-goal thriller.
The Hornets manager revealed the challenge he set his players and hailed their character and resilience in securing a famous win.
“I would like to think that the 90 minutes came across as a good game of football and both teams delivered.
“The first-half was probably too open from a manager’s point of view.
“We have tightened up a little bit after the break – but so did Consett.
“We have managed to win it over the course of the 90 minutes, and I do think we deserved it.
“The reaction to Consett taking the lead twice in the first-half was first-class.
“The challenge to the group was to get our noses in front.
“Once we did that, the character they showed and the resilience they showed, delivered the Vase.”
