The Tye for Wembley? How Peacehaven and Telscombe are trying to emulate Littlehampton Town in the FA Vase

The Tye are into the last 16 of the Vase after a run in which they’ve already knocked out Welling Town, Horley Town, Bedfont, Holyport and – last Saturday – Egham Town to get to this stage.

They now face a fifth round trip to Harefield United – and if they get through that they will be in the quarter-finals, just two games from a march to the Arch like the Golds were able to savour last May.

P&T skipper Ross Barclay insisted that the final was still a long way off – but said the whole squad and all the club’s staff and fans were enjoying their run.

It comes in a season in which they’re also going well in the SCFL premier division – sitting fifth in the table.

Barclay told us there was a real togetherness in the dressing room that was a key factor in their Vase run.

"This is my second season with the club and the core of the team from last season has stayed the same,” Barclay said. “Like most teams in non-league there was a fair few outgoings in the summer which led to the squad needing to be bolstered and the new lads have settled in to the club like they have been here for years."

Barclay says they’re very much a team, and not one that rely on individual stars. “I think it’s fair to say you do not get to the round of 16 being a team of individuals. That being said, there have been games this season, and on this run, where individuals have had notable performances – for example Nathan Stroomberg’s goalkeeping display in the previous round against Holyport. "As a team we take pride in keeping clean sheets and we have collected 20 of them already this season.

"We don’t have an out-and-out goalscorer – we have been blessed with goals being distributed around the frontline – it is good to know when one might not be at the races we have other lads to step up to the plate.

"At the start of the season you look at the Vase as a competition where you can play teams that you wouldn’t normally play and good days out for both fans and players. We were very fortunate to get home draws at the earlier stages of the competition and at the Sports Park we back ourselves to compete with anyone."

Now they’re in the last 16, is Wembley seeping into their conversations? And is Littlehampton’s glorious run to HQ a year ago in their minds?

Barclay said: “The ‘Wembley’ word is still very much tongue in cheek because we know there’s still mountains to climb to get there and staying grounded is a reason for how we’ve got this far in the first place.

"I think you have to take inspiration from Littlehampton’s run last year. I remember tuning in to last year’s final and it was massive for the county.

"It’s a long way to go but they have helped thinking Wembley is achievable even for a side like us.”

Harefield – who play in the Combined Counties League premier north division – will give P&T a stiff test in the next round. But they will take heart from the way they went to Egham and won in Saturday’s twice-postponed fourth round game.

Barclay said: “Going away from home is never easy for any side at this level but looking at Egham’s form we knew we were in for mammoth of a task to get through.

"We did prepare well but early exchanges Egham were very much on the front foot. We managed to ride the storm and eventually we were able to start playing the game we wanted to do.

"After a few probing chances we were able to get ahead with a great header from Jack Pettett. From there we knew this was going to spur Egham on more to pile on the pressure as that’s what knockout football’s about.

"Defensively we were immense and did our best to take manage the game at our pace. We still did generate chances to put the game to bed but it wasn’t until very late on when Callum Edwards slotted home to put the tie to bed.

"We would have ideally liked a home draw in the last 16 but we knew our fate before kicking a ball Saturday as the draw had been made.

"You don’t get this far through luck so we will see Harefield as another mountain to climb – but as a squad we will be prepared to give our everything to write new history for our club.

"On Saturday our travelling support was brilliant and really lifted the lads to get us over the line it would be great to see them back for the last 16 as they are just as part of the journey we are on.”