Sunderland RCA might be breaking new ground in The FA Vase but player-coach Colin Larkin claims the feeling of invincibility flowing through the squad means they are confident of continuing their historic run.
When they face Bristol Manor Farm at Meadow Park this Saturday, it will be the first time in the club’s 53-year history they have contested an FA Vase fifth round tie.
Sleaford were the latest victims for Sunderland in round four last weekend, although signs of rust in what was their first competitive game for a month were evident as they were forced to battle for a 3-2 triumph.
Sunderland RCA v Bristol Manor Farm
The FA Vase
Fifth Round
3pm, Saturday 30 January
Meadow Park
Winning club will receive £2,500
by Luke Baker
That victory continued a remarkable run that has seen Sunderland lose just once in their last 21 games and Larkin insists their success has been a whole squad effort.
“The key for us has been our never-say-die attitude and the unity of the squad is great as well,” he explained.
“Everyone is contributing – even the lads who are maybe sitting in the stands for a couple of games are coming in and making a difference.
“There’s a confidence and the feeling every week is that we won’t lose. There’s a different team spirit around the place that I haven’t really felt before.
“Every game we head into, we feel like we’re going to win. If we go a goal behind then we feel we can get back in the game and if we move ahead, we’re confident of pushing on.
“It was definitely nice to come through against Sleaford but we made it tougher for ourselves than it should have been.
“They were well-organised, especially after getting an early goal, but we stuck at it and got ourselves back in the game.
“It’s the first time in 50-odd years of history that the club have made it this far in The FA Vase, so it’s pretty special. We’re all excited.”
This weekend’s clash looks set to be a classic, pitting two high-flying teams against each other with Bristol Manor Farm’s last defeat coming on 7 November. They have won their last six games by an aggregate of 25-3.
If Sunderland can overcome Bristol and keep their fairytale going, they will end up at Wembley – a venue Larkin knows all about having played there for Gateshead in the 2014 Conference Play-Off final.
While getting back to play at the national stadium may be the 33-year-old’s short-term goal, it’s his coaching role with the Wearsiders – and with Sunderland College – that will set him up for the long-term.
Larkin added: “I’m really enjoying the coaching side of it. The manager [Martin Swales] lets me crack on and it’s perfect on a Saturday because it’s like having a coach on the pitch.
“It’s great experience and obviously with me being the wrong side of 30, I don’t know how much these legs have left!
“Being a footballer is the best job in the world, so when I gave up playing the game professionally, I thought coaching would be my route back.
“I’ve got that experience that I can pass on to players because I’ve been there and know what they are going through.
“Coaching is something I enjoy and something I’m good at, so I want to go into and it’s all great experience to have under my belt.”
