MANAGER Ben Kneller insists Hamble Club are not ready to give up on their FA Vase dream any time soon.

The Monks, in their first season in the competition, will have the hopes of the entire Sydenhams Wessex League resting on their shoulders as they head off to Windsor on Saturday (3pm) looking for a place in the quarter-finals.

To reach the last 16 of lower non-League’s most prestigious knockout competition is an achievement in anyone’s books, let alone a club that was plying its trade in the second tier of the Hampshire Premier League just four seasons ago.

Hamble are one of those sides who never know when they’re beaten and their shock 4-1 victory at Westfields last month summed up the character of Kneller’s boys from The Abbey as they snuffed out a 1-0 half-time deficit in Hereford with a brace apiece from Nathan Lynch and Nick Watts.

Leading into that match, Hamble’s form was iffy to say the least but, taking Tuesday’s 8-1 county cup hiding at three-leagues-higher Havant & Waterlooville out of the equation, they have been on an upward trajectory ever since.

Saluting his side’s spirit, Kneller said: “We’ve been behind in nearly every round so far and come back, so the character and togetherness is there.

“I’ve got trust in these lads, they’re a good group and they’re not going to just let someone take this off them. We’re not ready to give up on our Vase dream.

“The lads are very excited and it’s a big occasion on Saturday.

“It’s good for the club, good for Hamble and good for the Wessex League.

“If we apply ourselves and keep 11 on the pitch, we’ll give ourselves a decent chance of going through.”

Like Hamble, Hellenic Premier outfit Windsor are faring better in the cups than in the league.

They have games in hand, but are 36 points adrift of league leaders Thatcham – managed by ex-Alresford and Winchester boss Danny Robinson – who are also in fifth round action tomorrow at home to Midland League high-fliers Bromsgrove Sporting.

Two more familiar faces – ex-Moneyfields duo Miles Rutherford and Graeme Gee – remain on the road to Wembley with Chichester City, who head to Cheshire-based 1874 Northwich.

“I’ve spoken to Danny and Geer and I’ve pretty much had every Wessex League manager wishing us all the best. It’s very much a football-based family,” smiled Kneller.

“We’re mid-table and so are Windsor, yet we’re still in the Vase while some of the country's top teams have gone out. It shows that it’s a one-off and anyone can beat anyone on any given day.

“To get to the quarter-finals would be nice. And if we get that far… who knows?”

Windsor are a largely young side with one notable exception – former Fulham, Millwall and Plymouth frontman Barry Hayles, still playing at the age of 45.

The Stag Meadow outfit have lost their last two league games with despairing manager Mick Woodham admitting: “Offensively we’re okay, but defensively we look all at sea at the moment.”

That might well be music to the ears of Hamble’s 26-goal top scorer Nathan Lynch.

Hamble's road to Wembley so far.

First qualifying round: Hamble Club 3 (Liam Crook, Nathan Lynch 2) Bemerton HH 1.

Second qualifying round: Hamble Club 5 (Nathan Lynch, Jack McCarthy, Charlie Wagstaffe, James Thomson 2) Petersfield Town 0.

First round proper: Romsey Town 2 Hamble Club 3 (Ben Kemplen, Mo Nyang 2).

Second round proper: Hamble Club 5 (Ben Kemplen, Doug Rowe, Liam Crook, Nick Watts, Nathan Lynch) Brockenhurst 4 (aet).

Third round proper: Hamble Club 2 (Mo Nyang, Nathan Lynch) Horndean 1.

Fourth round proper: Westfields 1 Hamble Club 4 (Nathan Lynch 2, Nick Watts 2).