NON-LEAGUE Littlehampton Town FC will play at Wembley Stadium in the FA Vase final after easing past Loughborough Students 4-0 this afternoon.
The Marigolds played in front of a sell-out crowd of over 3,000 at Littlehampton Sportsfield in St Floras Road as they romped past the visitors in style.
It was the first semi-final in the FA Vase for Littlehampton in 31 years, with their last semi-final ending in defeat back in 1991 against Gresley Rovers.
The long-awaited opportunity for a first final would not phase the home side, with George Gaskin opening the scoring 36 seconds in to give Littlehampton Town the lead.
Full time: Littlehampton Town 4-0 Loughborough Students. We are going to Wembley!!!!!!!! #BuildbaseFAVase pic.twitter.com/G13F6u1znZ
— Littlehampton TownFC (@LittlehamptonFC) April 2, 2022
Captain Jordan Clark doubled the home side’s lead with a deft header which went in via the post on the 35 minute mark in front of 3142 fans.
Loughborough hit the bar just two minutes later but the teams would go in with the Marigolds winning 2-0 at half time.
The home side, who sit top of the Southern Combination Football League Premier, which is the ninth tier of English football, scored again just 11 minutes into the second half. Shay Wiggans made it 3-0 to all but seal their victory.
It could have been 4-0 but a shot that looked to have crossed the line was not given for the home side 76 minutes in.
However, George Gaskin popped up for his second of the game after a great run from Dion Jarvis to pile the misery on to Loughborough and make it 4-0.
The club praised Loughborough Students’ fans for bringing 112 fans on the 158 mile trip down South.
Littlehampton Town’s cup journey started back in October in the first round where they beat Moneyfields 3-2. Since then, the Marigolds have edged past Deal Town and Sheppey United 2-1 and 1-0 respectively.
Yesssss!!!!!! Get in!!!!! We’re going to Wembley 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/w9Wfo0Xyil
— Littlehampton TownFC (@LittlehamptonFC) April 2, 2022
They lost 5-0 away to London-based Newham on January 15, but were reinstated after the home side fielded an ineligible player.
Littlehampton Town beat Brockenhurst 4-1 in the fifth round on penalties after a 3-3 draw in normal time on February 12. The quarter-final saw them beat North Shields after a late winner 79 minutes in on March 12.
Littlehampton will play Newport Pagnell Town FC on May 22 at Wembley Stadium.
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