Wembley dreams alive as Bilston Town and Gornal Athletic chase FA Vase fifth round spots
Bilston Town will look to take another step along the road to Wembley Way as they continue their "astronomical" FA Vase run.
Bilston welcome Gresley Rovers in the fourth round of the historic competition tomorrow - their first appearance at this stage since the 1992/93 season, when they went on to reach the quarter-finals.
Victory would see them reach the fifth round for only the second time in their history. And after three consecutive away ties, vice-chairman Jay Morgan is relishing the return to home soil for such a special occasion as the club continues to dream.
"It's been amazing," he said. "Just unbelievable, and far, far more than what we expected.
"We don't usually get to these type of levels. It is an astronomical achievement for a club at step six. There's only a handful out of the last 32.
"After a little journey, it's great really to be back at Queen Street. Everybody's enjoyed the coach journeys, but it's very special to have a home tie. We've got supporters coming from all over the Midlands.
"We've got some lads, coincidentally, that are over from Holland. It's a good job we wear orange! Hopefully they'll bring us a bit of good luck."
In 2024, Bilston made history becoming the first fan owned football club in the Midlands.
"To be a fan-owned club, we've got nearly 200 members now, it just makes it all very special" Morgan added. "Hopefully we can do the fan-owned club family proud and reach the last 16.
"If you go around Bilston now, everybody's talking about the football club again, which is what we wanted. There is a bit of a vibe around Bilston Town Football Club and the town. There's a lot of good things going on."
Meanwhile, Gornal Athletic who are unbeaten in 11 Midland One matches, a run which included 10 wins in a row, visit Heather St. John's looking to keep their Wembley dream alive.
Boss Stuart How said: "We have to believe we can get there until it is no longer possible.
"It's got a slightly different feel to it than the other games, because they are in our league. It is probably the first game since the first round that we are not the underdogs.
"Looking at how we applied ourselves and approached the previous games, we should be full of confidence."
Elsewhere, in the Midland Premier, Brocton welcome Lye Town while Stone Old Alleynians visit Hanley Town and Dudley Town go to Highgate United.
In the Midland One, Cradley Town entertain Smethwick Rangers, Birmingham OJM travel to Kirby Muxloe and Wednesfield visit Lutterworth Athletic.
In the North West Counties League Division One South, Eccleshall entertain rivals Stafford Town while Wolves Casuals visit Stockport Georgians.
And in the Hellenic Division One, second-placed Bewdley Town welcome Chipping Sodbury Town.
