Paddy Davitt Wroxham's long-serving midfielder Gavin Lemmon today revealed the Yachtsmen have hit the wagon to boost their FA Vase Wembley bid. Norfolk's flag bearers have cut out the booze ahead of tomorrow's semi final, first leg tie at Sussex-based Whitehawk.

Paddy Davitt

Wroxham's long-serving midfielder Gavin Lemmon today revealed the Yachtsmen have hit the wagon to boost their FA Vase Wembley bid.

Norfolk's flag bearers have cut out the booze ahead of tomorrow's semi final, first leg tie at Sussex-based Whitehawk.

“We've changed our lifestyles a little bit since the Needham game in the previous round,” said Lemmon. “I believe most of the players have stopped drinking. The manager spoke to a few people and asked them what was the best thing the players could do to get themselves in the best possible shape.

“They came back and said cut out the drink so he put it to the players if we wanted to do it as a group. As far as I am aware the majority have, so we might have been boring as hell for the past few weeks but we want to give ourselves the best chance possible.

“I'm proud to be part of a side that has made club history because I've been here a long time and know what it means to the committee members - people like Kenny Cooke. We'd like to do it for them and all the volunteers who maybe we've let down in previous years but this year have been rewarded. Now you're this close, why not try and go a step closer?”

Lemmon admits David Batch's men travel south with a sense of purpose after knocking out highly-fancied Armthorpe Welfare and Ridgeons League neighbours Needham Market to set up an historic last four tie.

“I think the Armthorpe game really was the one when the lads felt maybe we have got a chance this year,” he said. “There is certainly a belief in the side that we have never had in previous years. We went into the Needham game thinking if we get ourselves right then we could win the tie and that is the same belief we have for this game on Sunday.

“We know they are going to be tough, we know they are going to be a good side otherwise they wouldn't have got this far, but over two legs the best team will win. We all know what is at stake but Wembley only entered my mind from Needham onwards. During the earlier rounds it was maybe a chance to go and make some history for the club and go as far as we had ever done. For me, though, when you do start thinking about it you have to stop and say. 'what is the point?' because you aren't actually there yet.”

Lemmon credits Batch with instilling the steely resolve that has carried Wroxham to within sight of Wembley this season.

“To be honest, if you analyse it purely on league form then this isn't the best Wroxham side I have played in,” said the 26-year-old, who made his first team debut back in 2000. “But there has been something about the FA Vase this year and we seem to have more of a cup mentality than previous years. We've probably had better offensive teams than this current one because we've always had sides that were good going forward but tended to come up short in the cup games

“The manger this year has instilled a belief that we go out and we do everything we can not to lose games - especially in the FA Vase. I was 17, 18 when we got the quarters previously against Durham. I travelled with the squad that day but wasn't involved and since then we have not gone beyond the third or fourth rounds, until now.”

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