Looking to achieve FA Vase success this season – Luis Shamshoum (Image: Nicky Hayes)
Great Wakering Rovers goalkeeper Luis Shamshoum is confident they can reach the latter stages of the FA Vase.
The Essex Senior League side have reached the Fourth Round after they entered the competition at the first qualifying round stage.
Wins over Basildon Town, Buckhurst Hill, St Neots Town, Downham Town and Fakenham Town has set them up with a trip to Whitchurch Alport in January for a place in the fifth round.
The ex-Billericay Town man expresses his confidence that Great Wakering can reach the final at Wembley Stadium.
“I’m very confident we can go all the way to Wembley, I don’t see any reason why we can’t,” he claimed.
“The quality in our squad is superb and we have quality all over the pitch.
“We are all looking forward to the Whitchurch game and we are going the night before so it will be really good for the squad to bond even more before the game and prepare right.
“But our main focus is winning one game at a time.”
Shamshoum reflects on the highlights of the FA Vase run for the squad so far, particular noting his personal performance in the win over St Neots.
“The FA Vase has been fantastic for all of us,” he said.
“I’d say one of the main highlights for me was St Neots away where we went as underdogs with a long journey against a team who were top of their league.
“They get large attendances and the boys were superb.
“On a personal note saving two penalties in the shootout was something I will never forget and then the coach journey home was quality with all of the boys and some of the fans too.”
While Great Wakering have been looking to maintain their run in the FA Vase, they are looking to return to the Isthmian North Division at the first time of asking.
Currently sitting in seventh place, Shamshoum assesses their current predicament and why they can challenge for promotion this term.
“I think this season has been successful so far,” the Palestine international stated.
“We had a slow start which was frustrating as we dropped points that we feel we should have gained, however, our squad was brand new at the start of the season and it does take time to gel.
“Since then we have been in form, we sit in second place in the form guide and if we win our games in hand we will be in the play-offs.
“The squad we have is very strong all over the pitch, we score loads up top and don’t concede many either.
“We are mates on and off the pitch and that is something you don’t get with a lot of teams.”
Tilbury are top of the Essex Senior League with Sporting Bengal United, Romford and Woodford Town sitting in second, third and fourth respectively.
Shamshoum views the table-toppers as the strongest side in the division.
“We know Tilbury are very strong and will be up there,” he said.
“They have a large budget which always helps but we aren’t too focused on the other teams around us, we know with the squad we have we can beat anyone.
“We know there are strong teams around us but it is a strange league, anyone can beat anyone so we are just focusing one game at a time and to win as many games as possible.”
The 21-year-old had a short spell with Hashtag United last season as they sealed promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division.
Shamshoum looks back on his time at the Len Salmon Stadium with positive memories.
“My time at Hashtag was really good, to be in that winning environment was very healthy,” he stated.
“They helped me massively in training and improving me as a goalkeeper and got me the loan move to White Ensign which was a successful loan move for me as I got consistent games.
“Although my time was short and sweet at the Tags, it was a great time and I wish them success which I’m sure is what they will get.”
Shamshoum has one main goal he wants to achieve this season.
“Promotion – that is what we have our eyes set on and to also achieve more success in the FA Vase,” he stated.
“There is a long way to go in both competitions, however, we know we can achieve both and that’s our target.”
