There was a point in the first half of their FA Vase match where Romford manager Dan Spinks felt it was going to one of those days for his side - it turned out to be one of those other days instead.

Trailing 1-0, Boro turned things around away to Hilltop, running out 3-1 winners and moving into the quarter-final of the national competition, just two steps away from a Wembley final.

And the boss was simply effervescent in his praise of his players.

Romford Recorder: Dan Spinks and his management team applaud the Romford fans. Picture: TGS PHOTODan Spinks and his management team applaud the Romford fans. Picture: TGS PHOTO (Image: TGS PHOTOS)

"Saturday was excellent," he said. "We got over there to a delayed kick-off and everything seemed to be a slight issue. 

"We dealt with everything in front of us but went 1-0 down slightly against the run of play to a dubious, offside goal. 

"I thought it was going to be one of those days but the boys were excellent. 

"We were by far the better team and deserved to go through, although they were a good side, I won’t take anything away from them and the played good football in the right way. 

"They caused us a lot of problems as well but we had too much experience for them and put too many set pieces into the box. 

"In the end they couldn't handle our aerial threats 

"We were really good on the day and we all enjoyed it on the way home, that’s what you do it for really." 

Having people who have tasted the Wembley air in big finals made a huge difference for Romford.

Spinks said: "They've been good for the other lads and Saturday was a big game for me too. 

"I'm in my first season in the job as well. I'm new to this side of things and I'm learning from the experience of some of these guys too. 

"I mean Scott Doe has played at Wembley twice in National League play-off finals and I said to him the other day that this game mustn’t mean the same to you. 

"He said it did because you don’t get the opportunity to play at Wembley that often and to do it three times would be a nice thing. 

"We’re all learning from them. 

"Remi Sutton came from Hornchurch and he’s obviously played there before in the Trophy final and he’s been a massive plus to us.  

"He’s been excellent since he came in, good attitude."

Standing in their way though is North Greenford United, who knocked out Tilbury on Saturday, the side Romford beat in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy on Tuesday night.

 

Spinks said: "Tilbury said they were a decent side and it'll be a tough game but whoever you get in the quarter-finals in this competition will be tough. 

"We’ll be tough for them too. No one will be looking forward to playing us. 

"The buzz around the camp is excellent. I thought it might be hard for me to get the boys up for it the game on Tuesday, and that’s no disrespect to the League Cup. I want to win every competition we play in. 

"It is a step down from the Vase but the boys were exiting again. The dressing room is unbelievable.  

"We're enjoying it and just riding the wave while we're on it."