A Wembley Bound Wilkin Couldn't Go On The Defensive

The National League North club have made the FA Trophy final for the first time in their history after ultimately easing past Wealdstone over two legs.

Leading by a goal heading into the second leg in north west London, boss Wilkin refused to go on the defencive and have what they hold.

It paid off as goals from Shane Byrne, a great free-kick and finding the same corner, top scorer Aaron Williams, created history.

Fans and players celebrated together after and they will be returning to the area on May 20 after the 3-0 aggregate victory.

Wilkin knew he wouldn’t sit back and soak up Stones pressure - and his side will strut their stuff on the most famous stage there is thanks to their positive approach.

He told us: “We are quite strong defensively, but we knew a goal wasn’t going to be enough to hang on to.

“Setting us up to cling on to the 1-0 lead isn’t what we’re about, it wouldn’t have been doing justice to the players.

“I knew they were capable of going on and making moments like they did today. We are good at taking games to teams, that’s what we do and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”

The former Wrexham manager now wants his team to go to Wembley having just won promotion.

“I’m massively proud,” he adds. “Whatever happens now we have still had a fantastic season. To have the opportunity to go to the home of football is something very special.

“They have shown togetherness and character ever since we got together in late June. They deserve this.

“We’ve still got a very important league campaign and we need to get our minds back on Tuesday night but this is a brilliant achievement.”

PICTURE BY ALAN PALMER