DREAMS of Wembley remain a reality for Newton Abbot’s Buckland Athletic after they booked a place in the quarter finals of the FA Vase over the weekend.

The Homers Heath side’s impressive run continued when they grabbed an extra-time winner in a seven-goal thriller at Hinckley AFC on Saturday.

Now they are just two fixtures away from a place in the final at the home of football.

This is untrodden territory for the Western League Premier Division club which celebrates its 40th anniversary next year.

Their reward for the impressive victory in the East Midlands is a trip next month to the West Midlands where they will take on Bromsgrove Sporting, a side which holds no fears for the emboldened travellers.

Club vice-chairman Nigel Holmes said after Monday’s draw: ‘At the moment we are just buzzing. It’s all very positive. There are so many emotions flying around.’

Hinckley led throughout the match thanks to ex-Leeds Utd striker Sam Agar who bagged a hat-trick.

But even his sharp-shooting failed to deter never-say-die Athletic who clawed their way back with two goals from Lloyd Gardner and one each from Gavin Hammon and Richard Groves who netted the winner in the 98th minute.

‘It’s just incredible. This has been a fantastic journey which the club deserves. It’s anyone’s trophy at this stage,’ said Nigel who was particularly pleased for the back-room staff who do so much to make things happen for the club.

Manager Ellis Laight, originally from the West Midlands, was similarly delighted.

He’s no stranger to FA Vase glory, having scored the winner in the 2001 final for Taunton Town in their 2-1 win over Berkhamsted at Villa Park where he was Man of the Match.

He said on Monday: ‘We wanted a home tie after all the away games we’ve had. It would have been nice for our finances - and there would have been a buzz around the ground.

‘But as away fixtures go, this is the best we could have hoped for on February 18. There is no reason now why we can’t go all the way.

‘I said at the start of this job that I wanted a good cup run. It’s amazing the effect it has on the club and the town. People start to take notice of you.’