‘Unbelievable’ – Yeltz so close to Wembley
Paul Smith admits Halesowen Town have been dreaming about Wembley since September – as they stand one round from playing in a final at the national stadium.
The Yeltz reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in the shadow of the ground’s famous arch with a 2-1 triumph at National League outfit Barnet.
It is the third side from non-league’s top flight step four side Halesowen have dumped out of this year’s competition – and after coming from behind it may be the best yet.
“It was unbelievable and it won’t sink in to a lot of people until they finish playing football,” said boss Smith. “You dream of Wembley before the first tie. We’ve come through 13 games and keep ticking them off.
“You can’t help but look at it and just wonder and just hope (you get to play at Wembley).
“It’s a wonderful achievement for us though, no matter what happens now – but we are two legs away from a final so we will go for it.”
The semi-final being a two-legged affair means Halesowen will get to bring their incredible run back home for half the tie, having knocked out their three National League opponents on the road.
The Yeltz had 650 roaring them on at the Hive on Saturday – with thousands expected to pack out The Grove when their semi-final home leg takes place.
“It is going to be unbelievable,” added Smith. “It will be special at the Grove – there will be two or three thousand. The buzz around the town is out of this world.”
And Smith thanked those who made the trip to North London on Saturday.
“It means a lot to me that they follow us in their droves home and away,” he said. “They are enjoying the journey – they have taken to that, taken to the players, taken to me, and I can’t speak highly enough of them.”
