THE 2022/23 Non-League Finals Day spectacle was an outstanding success at Wembley Stadium.
A combined attendance of 27,374 enjoyed the two games on Sunday 21st May:
The Isuzu FA Vase Final - Kick-off 12.15pm
Ascot United 1-0 Newport Pagnell Town
The Isuzu FA Trophy Final - Kick-off 4.15pm
FC Halifax Town 1-0 Gateshead
Here is my detailed diary describing a marvellous day out in North-West London…
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9.30am – I left home full of excitement and expectation ahead of Non-League football’s thrilling pinnacle.
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10.30am – I arrived at the reserved media parking allocation in a multi-storey next door to Wembley Stadium. The pre-booking system worked really well and I was waved through by a helpful steward. Spaces were filling up quickly so I ended up on the fourth floor.
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10.40am – I passed through airport-style security checks outside the designated entrance. Then I collected my accreditation lanyard and matchday programme incorporating both Finals.
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10.45am – I took the elevator up to the Danny Fullbrook media lounge. Breakfast was being served and I partook in delicious hash browns and bread rolls. Tea, coffee and soft drinks were readily available.
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11am – I embarked on lengthy pre-match chit-chat embracing numerous journalists covering the respective teams. It is always rewarding to encounter long-standing likeminded friends. You might not meet someone for several years but you suddenly pick up from where you left off by deploying the universal language of football.
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11.40am – I was invited out on to the Wembley pitch to speak to the crowd about how Non-League Finals Day originated before looking forward to The Isuzu FA Vase Final. My comments were broadcast on giant screens under the stadium roof. I said both clubs had a fair chance of victory – Newport Pagnell Town as the defending FA Vase holders whilst Ascot United were runaway Combined Counties League Premier Division North champions only losing twice in 38 outings. I added the two participating finalists were a great reflection on Step 5 Non-League football which is extremely affordable, accessible and community-based.
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12.15pm - The Isuzu FA Vase Final kicked off.
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1.06pm – It was 0-0 at half-time following a tight first half. Decent opportunities had been created at either end but I still couldn’t predict who was going to lift the FA Vase at this stage.
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2.01pm – GOAL! Ascot United made the vital breakthrough on 80 minutes whereby Kai Walters dived horizontally to head home Sean McCormack’s enticing right flank cross. A spirited chant of “Ascot are massive everywhere we go…” rang out from rejoicing supporters clad in bright yellow colours. 1-0.
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2.16pm – Final whistle. Ascot United 1-0 Newport Pagnell Town.
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2.28pm – Ascot United were presented with the Isuzu FA Vase after winning this competition for the first time in their history.
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2.45pm – Back in the press room Sunday lunch was served comprising chicken, roast potatoes and vegetables. Everything gratefully devoured by a throng of forever hungry scribes including myself!
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3.40pm – I was invited back on to the pitch to give my thoughts on the upcoming Isuzu FA Trophy Final. I said the outcome was very difficult to predict because these two opponents had finished just a couple of points apart in the 2022/23 National League table. In addition, I stated both outfits had proud Football League pedigrees in previous incarnations and loyal supporters had rallied around magnificently during subsequent dark periods to eventually relaunch their beloved teams. Bringing the story up to date, headlines over the current National League campaign have been dominated by Wrexham’s much-publicised Hollywood links. So I stressed it was nice FC Halifax Town and Gateshead were now being deservedly thrust into the Wembley Stadium spotlight.
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4.15pm - The Isuzu FA Trophy Final kicked off amidst an electric atmosphere. It was good to notice several hundred Ascot United and Newport Pagnell Town fans had stayed behind to watch the second game.
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4.58pm – GOAL! An exceedingly scruffy incident saw FC Halifax Town forge ahead two minutes prior to half-time. Jamie Cooke was the scorer charging down Gateshead goalkeeper James Montgomery’s attempted clearance with the ball rebounding wickedly into the net. In all my 50-plus years of religiously attending matches at Wembley Stadium, I had never witnessed a bizarre moment like that live on the showpiece stage. 1-0.
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5.05pm – 1-0 at half-time. In fact, Cooke’s strike was the only effort on target registered across the opening 45 minutes.
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6pm – The combined Non-League Finals Day attendance was announced as 27,374. It was at least 2,000 more than I had been anticipating.
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6.12pm – The final whistle sounded on FC Halifax Town 1-0 Gateshead.
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6.25pm - FC Halifax Town graced the FA Trophy winners’ presentation for the second occasion within seven years.
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6.45pm – I offered my goodbyes to the other reporters and departed Wembley Stadium having thoroughly relished another superb Non-League Finals Day.
*Credit for photos in this article belongs to @TonyIncenzo*
