They may have relied on a remarkable late comeback to get this far in The FA Vase, but Coventry Sphinx manager Luke Hopkins insists his side’s Wembley dream is very much alive ahead of their second round clash with Brocton.
In their first round replay with Black Country Rangers in midweek, Sphinx were 3-0 down with just five minutes remaining – but no-one could have predicted what would happen next.
Three goals between Richie Blythe and Ryan Quinn in three minutes forced the game into extra time, where they both netted again before Trovarn Thompson completed a sensational 6-4 victory.
Coventry Sphinx v Brocton
The FA Vase
3pm, Saturday 21 November 2015
Sphinx Drive, Coventry
Winners receive £1000 from prize fund
By Jack Miller
And with his side stuttering in the Midland League Premier Division, Hopkins believes having a day at Wembley to shoot for could turn Sphinx’s season around.
"It was a bit of a surreal game, but amazing for the team and amazing for the club," he said. "It had seemed like everything that could have gone against us in the league had done.
"We had the chances, but hadn’t been putting them away, and the lads were a bit shocked that we were losing games given how well we were playing.
"The Rangers game was definitely a turning point for us. All our luck came at once and gave us a lot of self-belief.
"We back ourselves now against Brocton. We fancy it against anyone in our league at home, and this is a realistic chance for us to play at Wembley.
"Coalville Town played there a couple of years ago, and they had a couple of ex-lads from the club so we went to support them.
"It was a brilliant day and we saw how much it meant to them. Most full-time footballers don’t ever get to play there, so hopefully the results will keep coming in The Vase."
It is not just Hopkins, however, who is already dreaming of Wembley as Brocton boss David Berks seeks to improve on last year’s FA Vase run.
The 33-year-old – in his second stint in charge of the club, having also managed the Badgers at one point in his mid-20s – took them to the last-32 last season, where they lost to Tadcaster Albion.
And the manager has been buoyed by the news that striker Sam Bell has returned to the club.
"We got our star player back last week," said Berks. "He left us to go to Sutton Coldfield, two leagues higher, but he has just come back and he is a massive boost.
"He is 6ft 3in and absolutely rapid and there aren’t many like that around at this level of football.
"We should have beaten Tadcaster and it gave the lads a bit of belief. We really pushed them away from home and it could have gone either way.
"The Vase means a lot to us. We normally get about 12 at training but we had 16 on Wednesday night and they were on it. They want to be part of it.
"They know it impacts the club and there is press attention – you know what these lads’ egos are like!"
