Last updated at 07:01, Friday, 05 February 2010

RIGHT now the Reds machine is firing on all cylinders and after the heroic win over AFC Wimbledon it’s going to take a brave team to try to get in the way of their bid to play at the Twin Towers.

Edmo’s Army is on an 11-game unbeaten run and had to show unreserved strength of character to come back from the dead twice to snatch the late victory.

Shaun Vipond and Jonny Wright take the plaudits for their goals and rightly so, but the three strikes that hit the back of the net don’t tell the full story.

There were 11 men on that pitch who tried their damnedest to make sure the travelling fans had something to cheer about when the final whistle went.

Those scenes of sheer jubilation after the match that have been splashed across the papers this week are brilliant.

They showed every emotion that the lads went through to make sure they progressed in the FA Trophy.

That game with Wimbledon has helped the club massively on a financial level. Speaking to chairman Humphrey Dobie this week, he suggested that the £22,000 picked up in prize money had helped keep the club afloat this season.

Money is tight at Borough Park but the way everyone has done their bit over this season will ensure that we have a club to watch in the coming years.

Stevenage will be a tough task to overcome. Their home record this season is formidable but every record must come to an abrupt end at some point.

There is no doubt in my mind that away from the pressure of performing in front of the home fans, Reds will be relishing the chance to test themselves against the very best that non-league football has to offer.

They have proved that they are up for the challenge following the wins over Wimbledon and Rushden.

Those wins were no flukes. Reds had a game plan devised by Darren and his assistant Viv Busby and the lads knew what job they had to do.

They stuck to their guns, changed things when appropriate and took out both sides like a stealthy assassin.

It’s the spine of the side that has helped this predominantly young side to reach the dizzy heights of the quarter finals.

Darren has the precise amount of experience blended with young, hungry players to make sure Reds push on for the rest of the season.

With the likes of Tony Caig, Kyle May, Tony Hopper and Jonny Wright in the side, the younger, less experienced lads can fit in around them and it just seems to work.

Stevenage won’t be taking the game lightly. They can’t afford to. They are the current holders and it would look mighty embarrassing for them if they expected to win and were turned over by a rampant Reds side.

We can dream of a trip to Wembley. It’s a soothing thought in the midst of a hectic season.

But it’s good to dream and I, for one, believe wholeheartedly that this dream could become a reality.

First published at 19:24, Thursday, 04 February 2010
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk