DROITWICH SPA joint-boss Wayne Oliver is relishing the opportunity to partake in the FA Vase next season.
The Saltmen have agreed a ground-share deal with West Midlands (Regional) League outfit Bromyard Town which will allow Spa to compete in the FA Vase – an annual football competition for sides below Step Four of the National League System – for the first time in their history.
As an added bonus, should Spa finish in the top two of the Midland League Division Two table at the end of the season, they will be in a position to accept promotion.
However, regardless of whether or not Spa get promoted, they will still be able to take part in the competition – if the FA accept their registration in June – and it is something Oliver cannot wait to be a part of.
“An opportunity like this is absolutely huge for a club like us,” he said.
“It’s a shame that we can’t play those games in Droitwich but it’s another massive step forward for us and it shows off all the hard work we have done and what we want to achieve.
“It will be a massive test for the players but it’s something that the players will be able to enjoy as we haven’t got any expectations on how far we will get.”
The good news followed Spa’s 3-1 victory over Chelmsley Town in the semi-finals of the Presidents Cup thanks to two goals from leading goalscorer James Lemon and one from Max Crisp, a result which sees Spa reach the final of the inter-league cup competition for the first time.
And with tough away trips to Knowle on Saturday and in-form Paget Rangers the following Monday in the league, Oliver insists his side need to be on the ball if they are to come away with the maximum amount of points.
“We’ve got to keep winning to keep the pressure on the sides around us but they won’t be easy games,” he said.
“They’re two different places to go to as Knowle’s pitch is tight and on a slope, whereas Paget’s is a wide pitch on a slope so it will be a tough few days for us.
“Paget will be a really tough game for us as they’re top of the form books over the last 10 games but we’ll be looking for the six points over the two games.
“I will probably have to change the side a little to cope with the two games but I’m confident we can get six points.”
Ahead of this weekend’s games, Spa have a full strength squad to choose from and will be boosted by the return of Mark Burrows.
