The Isuzu FA Vase

Sholing boss pledges to 'paint the town red' after Vase win

Sunday 06 Apr 2014
Sholing players and management celebrate their Semi-Final win

Sholing manager Dave Diaper pledged to 'paint the town red' after his side created history by booking their first appearance at Wembley.

Diaper's team sealed a 4-2 victory over Eastbourne United in The FA Carlsberg Vase Semi-Final to set-up a trip to The Final on 10 May. 

His side stormed into a 3-0 lead after 41 minutes at Eastbourne's Oval ground after the two sides drew 2-2 in the first leg in Southampton. 

Eastbourne United 2-4 Sholing FC

The FA Carlsberg Vase
Semi-Final second leg
Saturday 4 April 2014
The Oval, Eastbourne
Sholing win 6-4 on aggregate

 

The home side fought doggedly and reduced the deficit to just one goal to set up a tense final 20 minutes but Nick Watts calmed Sholing's nerves by making it 6-4 on aggregate with three minutes left. 

The Sholing boss, who has been at the club for 14 years, confessed he was a little emotional with the players at the final whistle.

He said: "To be able to grace the great pitch of Wembley is unbelievable. The opportunity to be at Wembley for a Final and work in the technical area is something these players could only dream of before."

Diaper believes his side have brought pride to Southampton, where the club are based.

He added: "We bleed red and white whilst Southampton are in the Premier League and wear red and white. The whole area has been so supportive of us.

"We'll be painting the town red, I am just so pleased for the club."

The manager refused to pick any standout players and explained it was the team's performance which deserves the most credit.

Sholing

Sholing assistant manager Mick Brown with Dave Diaper (right)

 

Diaper continued: "Before the game I said to the players if we are going out let's go out all guns blazing and with a fight.

"The team effort was tremendous. We don't tend to do things the easy way and we must give credit to Eastbourne for the way they came back at us."

Although there is still the matter of league matches and The FA Vase Final, Diaper insisted now is the time for celebration.

"I'm 59 years of age and I used to be out until 4am when these players were much, much younger.

"I think I'll try to restrain myself a bit more now but we will still celebrate our achievement."

Sholing will face West Auckland Town in The Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 10 May.

By FA Staff