Former Wycombe Wanderers midfielder Lewwis Spence is hoping for an ‘opportunity to get to Wembley’, as his side, Hornchurch, prepare for the FA Trophy semi-final this weekend.
The 33-year-old is set to lead out the eighth-tier outfit at Meadow Lane as they look to spring an almighty surprise against non-league giants Notts County.
It’s a stadium that holds fond memories for Spence, who found the net for Wanderers in a 2-0 win over Notts in November 2008 – one of two league goals he scored in 30 appearances that season as the Chairboys went up automatically under Peter Taylor into League One.
However, Spence admits this weekend’s game has a different kind of pressure with a place at Wembley within touching distance for the part-timers, who have not played a league game since November 3.
He said: “Promotion is about being consistent over a 46-game season, chalking wins up rather than one individual victory.
Lewwis Spence plays for Hornchurch (Photo by Hornchurch FC)
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“In terms of a single match, this is the biggest I’ve played in.
“It’s massive.
“The age I’m at now, I’m probably not going to have another opportunity to get to Wembley.
“At the start, it was a bit of a running joke – ‘we have to win if we want any games of football’.
“But when you look back now, that’s been the reality.
“When something is taken away from you, you appreciate it a lot more and the buzz has been there through every round, just from having a game to play.”
The Urchins have claimed five higher-division scalps in their memorable run and Spence knows they will have to put in their best performance yet if they are to make the Magpies number six.
He continued: “On paper, they should be a better outfit than us.
“They are professionals, they should be fitter, but if we approach the game with the right mindset there’s no reason we can’t get through.
“We don’t fear anyone and it’s about who turns up on the day.”
Lewwis Spence plays for Hornchurch (Photo by Hornchurch FC)
Spence’s side is one of 228 Trident League clubs supported by Pitching In, a landmark grassroots sports investment programme launched by Ladbrokes, with the support of its owner Entain, which also benefits the likes of Beaconsfield Town and Chesham United.
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In addition to financial support, the initiative highlights the importance of non-league clubs to their communities and Spence is dreaming of a reunion with the fans at Wembley, with May’s final earmarked as a test event to welcome spectators.
He continued: “Having not had fans in the ground for a lot of these wins, the thought of having all your family and friends at Wembley is a massive incentive.
“It’s a very well-run club and this run has brought everyone even closer together.
“We’ve celebrated together all the way through, and I can only imagine what it would be like if we won on Saturday.”
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