Brackley Town have enjoyed a plethora of cup upsets under Kevin Wilkin’s stewardship but now the Saints boss is desperate to turn shocks into silverware.
The Northamptonshire club produced a remarkable run to the second round of the Emirates FA Cup last season, beating League One outfit Gillingham on the way before being knocked out by Blackpool.
And they’ve had success in the Buildbase FA Trophy, reaching the quarter-finals in 2017 for the very first time before losing to eventual winners York City.
But the Saints have gone one better this time around and only National League South side Wealdstone stand in their way of a first Wembley venture.A two-legged affair will see Brackley at home before heading to Grosvenor Vale and manager Wilkin knows his side must be at their very best if they are to reach the home of football.
“We’ve worked very hard to get to this point and we’ve had some very tough games. It’s a great opportunity but Wealdstone will be feeling the same,” Wilkin said.
“You don’t want to be the loser, getting so close. We’ve been very consistent this season but we must stay strong in this one final push.
“The run has certainly raised the profile of the club. We had a good run in it last year. We lost to the eventual winners York and perhaps didn’t get that bit of luck that you need.
“We deserve that shot at glory. It would be a massive achievement for everybody at the club and reward for how well we’ve done.
“Getting to Wembley is certainly the pinnacle of playing or managing. The chance to be at the home of football is something that doesn’t come around all the time – we’d love a crack at it.”
Wilkin already experienced walking out onto the hallowed Wembley turf in the Trophy when in charge of Wrexham in 2015, agonisingly losing on penalties to North Ferriby United – he was sacked 24 hours later.
The 50-year-old has mixed emotions of that final day, a chance to manage at the home of football but suffering defeat to an outsider in the same moment.
Wilkin would love another chance to right the wrongs of that day almost three years ago and bringing back a major trophy would be just rewards for the progress Brackley have made in recent seasons.
“I’ve been very fortunate to walk out at Wembley and experience that final. The result didn’t go the way that I wanted at all but it’s a great experience for everybody,” he said.
“It’s a superb feeling to be there and I’d love another shot at it. The whole build-up of that day in 2015 was incredible.
“You get out there before the match and soak up the atmosphere. It’s something we all strive to achieve. Unfortunately it wasn’t the right result.
“Something I say to the lads is that you may only get one shot at playing at Wembley and we want to capitalise on how good we’ve been recently.
“We’ve played in some huge games in the FA Cup recently. We enjoy the big games and I’m confident our players will perform when it matters.”
The Prize
A chance to play at Wembley awaits the winners of this intriguing two-legged semi-final, as well as picking up £20,000 for their efforts.
