Newport Pagnell aim to make more history as the look to win second successive FA Vase

To many the town of Newport Pagnell is best known for its service station on the M1. But as they head to Wembley on Saturday in search of more silverware, the town’s football team are doing their best to write their own chapter in local history.

It all began last season, where they trounced favourites Littlehampton Town 3-0 in the FA Vase final. Less than a year later and non-League’s cup experts are back, fighting for the same prize and the chance to become only the fifth side to win consecutive Vase trophies.

Their route to the Wembley showpiece has been no less dramatic this season. Pagnell have earnt themselves the title of the penalty shootout kings within the lower reaches of the pyramid, having won three shootouts last year and three more this year on their way to the final.

Call it fortuitous, a coincidence even. But Pagnell’s 33-year-old goalkeeper Martin Conway, a PE teacher by trade, would argue otherwise. Across both seasons he has proved not only hard to beat from 12 yards but also deadly from the spot himself, having scored and saved at least one penalty in all but one shootout across the two cup runs.

‘I don’t want to second-guess myself but I genuinely can’t remember losing a penalty shootout since I started playing adult football aged 16,’ Conway explains.

The Newport Pagnell players celebrate with fans after making it through to another FA Vase Final where they’ll play Ascot United 

The team’s goalkeeper Matt Conway is a PE teacher by trade but will now play at Wembley 

‘People will say it’s luck but there’s something about penalty shootouts. ‘Keepers either enjoy them or they don’t and I absolutely love them. I’ve always played out on pitch as well as in goal. I played a few games in the Conference North for Hinckley United as a sub keeper but I’d also come on as an outfield player.

‘You take so much stick when you make mistakes so you’ve then got to take that on your shoulders, one opportunity to properly win the game for your team and I just relish that opportunity.’

Unsurprisingly, he isn’t willing to digress the secrets of his penalty-saving heroics.

‘For me it’s a lot more about reading body language but there’s so many things you take into account,’ he explains. ‘But my wife and my older brothers are the only ones I’ve shared my tricks with and it works the majority of the time. For me it’s a lot more than guess work.’

A glance at the league tables tells you that the Swans go into the game as underdogs once again. Their opponents this time are Ascot of the Combined Counties Premier Division North (Step nine of English football). On paper the Yellas look formidable opposition having won their division at a canter, winning 33 of their 38 matches, scoring 99 goals and finishing with a huge 102 points.

There is a sentiment around Newport Pagnell that this season’s cup run has negatively impacted on their consistency in the league. While results against top sides have been good, slip-ups against teams lower down the division consigned them to a third-place finish.

But that disappointment goes out of the window for manager Gary Flinn and his squad, the large majority of whom played in the last season’s final.

Gary Flinn and his Newport Pagnell squad are looking for their second successive FA Vase win 

Newport Pagnell would become only the 5th side to win back-to-back FA Vase trophies 

‘I still think it’s going to be as special as ever. I hope the players don’t get too relaxed seeing as we’ve been there before as it’s still a magnificent occasion.

‘I have to credit the players, when there’s a big game, they turn up for it. Last year the whole occasion was brilliant. The changing rooms are like nothing we’ve ever experienced at our level before.

‘I had the chance to lead the team out with my son, Presley, which I will remember forever. He’s eight now and he thinks it’s an everyday occasion to go to Wembley. He’s just started playing football himself so he’s got a bit of a rude awakening!’

Perhaps more valuable than any silverware has been the impact of the cup runs on the club as a whole. Gate receipts are up, as are the number of volunteers. The club’s committee now even includes the town’s Mayor and Mayoress. Conway’s heroics have even helped him in his day job.

‘I moved school last year and a few of the older students who can go on their own came to watch,’ he explains. ‘It’s the same buzz this year, there’s boys who I coach in the school football team asking about it and making plans.

‘It’s one of those things that breaks down barriers between a teacher and kids. A lot of my job is about building relationships with students and getting the best out of them. I’m glad I can use football to help that.’

Win on Saturday and he’ll surely be the talk of the school corridors on Monday morning.