Reds can go all the way to Wembley

Mackay, pictured below, believes the dream is well and truly alive with the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club just three games away from a Buildbase FA Trophy final and looking forward to hosting Bromley in the last 16 after knocking out National League Weston-super-Mare in Tuesday night’s second round replay.

Nearly 600 supporters turned out at Borough Park to see the Reds go through 2-1 with goals from Josh Calvert and Phil McLuckie and Mackay reckons anything can happen now as they fly the flag alongside Warrington Town as the EVO-STIK League's final flag-bearers in Non-League's showpiece cup competition.

The Reds last reached the quarter-finals in 2010 and the joint chairman alongside Don Blackwell told newsandstar.co.uk on Friday: “We are through to the last 16 in the whole of the country after already seeing off two teams from leagues above us. We are just three games away from a potential final at Wembley now.

“At the end of the day, people thought that Hartlepool would beat us and I am sure Weston-super-Mare thought they would go through. But here we are and, if you don’t dream, then why enter the competition? Everyone is so positive around the club and we are fighting fit and ready for the challenge of Bromley.”

A third victory over higher-league opposition on Saturday 4 February will see the Cumbrians bank £8,000 in prize money to add to the £25,000 they've already collected and Mackay is urging fans to get behind joint managers Lee Andrews and David Hewson and their giant-killers and turn out in force to secure another financial boost for their promotion hopes over the second half of the season.

The fifth-placed Reds host Barwell in the EVO-STIK League's top flight on Saturday and he added: “We would love to see a good turnout from the home crowd. We were nearly at 600 on Tuesday night and it would be great if we could get to 700 against Bromley.

“We need the fans' support, both verbally on the day and financially. It helps us both this season and next. I would urge them to come as it is vital to the club and helps the team on the field.”

After booking their berth in the next round by beating National League Ebbsfleet United 2-0 in their Tuesday night replay at Cantilever Park, Warrington Town are heading to London on Saturday week to take on another National League outfit in Wealdstone.

Images courtesy of newsandstar.co.uk & Paul Armstrong/@WorkingtonAFC/Twitter

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