Needham Market v Kirkham & Wesham
The FA Carlsberg Vase
Semi-Final, Second Leg
3pm, Saturday 29 March 2008
Bloomfields, Needham Market FC
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Lancashire side Kirkham & Wesham are hoping some of Barnsley's FA Cup magic rubs off on them as they bid to follow their Yorkshire friends to Wembley this season.

Kirkham are making a trip to the training ground of FA Cup Semi-Finalists Barnsley in the build-up to their Vase Semi-Final second leg against Needham Market.

Barnsley, of course, are already at Wembley having defeated teams such as Liverpool and Chelsea on their fairytale Cup run.

And now Kirkham, who have never played in The Vase before this season, are 90 minutes away from an equally unlikely day out at Wembley.

They take a slender 3-2 advantage into Saturday's second leg at Needham, having recovered from being two goals down in last weekend's first match.

Like Barnsley, Kirkham, who have won the West Lancashire League Premier Division in four consecutive years, have punched well above their weight by knocking out highly-rated sides such as Coventry Sphinx and Newcastle Benfield to reach the last four.

However, Manager Mick Fuller remains grounded despite being 90 minutes away from a Wembley Final and insisted: "We'll approach each game on its own merit and will not be over confident.

"The trip to Barnsley came about because their goalkeeping coach Kelham O'Hanlan lives next door to our club president and it has helped generate some interest in us and our run in The Vase.

"Obviously we have a one-goal advantage and we're in a reasonable position. It is up to us now - no doubt it will be difficult, but it will be interesting."

Fuller also promised that his team won't be sitting on their lead and added: "We will go with a strong line-up -  we won't defend as we have players with special ability.

"Football is a strange game, as you never know what will happen. It is a challenge for us. We have always been second favourites this season, but have overcome the obstacles.

"Wembley is not too far away now and it is a big incentive for us."

Kirkham & Wesham fans have turned out in record numbers at their home ground of Kellamergh Park, and Fuller is now hoping for good support away from home on their trip to Suffolk too.

The team's success has generated a lot of local media interest from press, TV and Radio stations and there is even talk of the Final being televised if they make it through.