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Jason Bourne sets sights on Wembley return with beaten FA Vase finalists Tunbridge Wells

Captain Jason Bourne heads forward
Captain Jason Bourne heads forward

Tunbridge Wells skipper Jason Bourne is already targeting a return to Wembley next season following the disappointment of Saturday’s FA Vase Final defeat.

Bourne led out his side at the home of football against Spennymoor in front of 12,000 fans from Tunbridge Wells and across Kent.

It was his cross which led to Josh Stanford’s 78th-minute equaliser, but the Moors struck back two minutes later to win 2-1 and take the Vase back to the North East.

Bourne said: “When we first came in, it was obviously disappointment, the reality that we’d just lost the final. When we came off the pitch, I said to everyone I wanted them to be proud of themselves and proud of what we’ve achieved.

“The aim is to get back here next year and win it. We’ll be in the draw, so why not? We know what’s at the end of it, and we won’t be intimidated by any side we come up against in the Vase, which is normally the tough part of it.”

Spennymoor, winners of the Northern League for the last three seasons, were worthy winners at Wembley but Bourne and his team-mates pushed them hard.

“To lead out my hometown club, that was my dream, all the way through. To come out in front of 16,000 people with my children, to share that experience with them, it was such a proud moment. I do feel proud."

He said: “It was hard work (in the first half) because we didn’t retain the ball. We tried to go a little bit too direct. I thought we kept the ball a lot better in the second-half.

“We got a foothold in the game and we scored the equaliser but we didn’t hold onto it for long enough. A good side like Spennymoor move the ball well, they’ll punish you, and that’s what happened.

“To lead out my hometown club, that was my dream, all the way through. To come out in front of 16,000 people with my children, to share that experience with them, it was such a proud moment. I do feel proud.

“The whole experience was magical and I hope we sent the Tunbridge Wells fans away with memories that will last forever.”

The Wells were straight back into action on Bank Holiday Monday. They showed no signs of a Vase hangover, thrashing Canterbury City 6-0 in front of 381 fans at Culverden.

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