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Canterbury City striker Dean Grant excited ahead of FA Vase semi-final

Even just thinking about Wembley has got Dean Grant's stomach leaping.

The former Margate, Hythe and Faversham striker is set to lead the line for Canterbury in the first leg of their semi-final at Cray Valley on Sunday.

Grant knows he's unlikely to get a better chance to play at the national stadium.

Dean Grant scored Canterbury's winner in the quarter-final against Biggleswade Picture: Paul Amos
Dean Grant scored Canterbury's winner in the quarter-final against Biggleswade Picture: Paul Amos

He said: "I dream and then I think 'wow, it's actually close'.

"I'll talk to other people and be like 'yeah, two games from Wembley' and then I'll get butterflies in my stomach because we could actually be there.

"A few of my mates sent a link to some of the previous finals and the roar the crowd make when the goals in, I don't think anything compares to that. That will be the biggest game in anyone's career.

"Although we've got some younger lads in the squad, a lot of us are mature, experienced lads so it will be the last chance we've got to play Wembley."

Grant started the season at Faversham but has certainly made an impact since joining City.

He scored the winning goal against Leicester Nirvana in the fifth round and repeated the trick against Biggleswade.

He said: "After the game, I've got the biggest smile on my face. I don't want to take any of the limelight for it but inside, I'm overjoyed because I've been able to help the team.

"It looks good on paper but when you've played the game, everyone's had their part to play. Yes, the scoreline is 2-1 and Dean Grant scored the winner but we're all in it together.

"The changing-room here is very unique. The club's had a few new players since I've come in but we've all gelled.

"It starts with your initiation song and Bola Dawodu's good at performing so that gels everyone.

"This means everything. In the previous round, I was more nervous than I am now. I don't know whether that's a good or not!

"The pressure will be on Cray Valley. Canterbury's league standing isn't the best but a lot of other teams might have underestimated that, come against us and think we're not worthy of being in that position.

"They're higher in the league than us but we're all eager and we just want it to be now. Over two games, anything can happen."

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