As our FA Vase campaign kicks off this afternoon, we caught up with both Angus Hastings and Ollie Sotoyinbo, who reached the final at Wembley Stadium last season with their former club, Cockfosters.

The duo both started in the showpiece event against AFC Stoneham, and despite losing on penalties, it was a day that won’t be forgotten any time soon.

Angus, who joined The Woods this summer, was a part of the Cocks’ squad from the beginning of the season, but ahead of their opening game in the competition, the Wembley dream seems a long way away.

“I don’t think it was ever really discussed. The league was always the management’s priority, and the FA Vase was something we were enjoying along the way. I remember at the Christmas social, still miles away from the final, we were all jumping around singing about playing at Wembley. I’m not sure anyone actually believed it would happen at that point!”

Ollie made the move to North London, leaving The Woods at the end of February, and from that point onwards, the goal was made clear.

“Honestly, it was a privilege to even be thought of and brought in at that stage of the season to help the team ultimately get over the line in the league. However, once the manager realised I wasn’t cup-tied, the focus quickly changed to also helping the team get to Wembley.

“At that point, it became clear that it was definitely a real possibility, and I knew I had to give everything I could to help make it happen.

“Bearing in mind I hadn’t even met many of the lads yet, turning up in Droylsden for my first game, I knew I had to make an immediate impact. I wanted to make sure I played my part in helping the team get through to the next round, so to come in and contribute straight away made the whole experience even more special.”

Angus told us that he first began to believe that they could make the final when they beat Whitstable Town on penalties in February.

“That game was probably the first moment where I thought, maybe we’ve actually got a chance here. It was a great group with some big characters, and we had plenty of luck on our side too - winning four rounds on penalties says it all.”

“I think if anything, at that point it was desperation to advance, losing wasn’t an option. Everyone bought into that mentality.”

On the day itself, both were in a position that they once would have dreamed of. Stepping out onto the hallowed turf, the home of English football, a stadium that holds 90,000 people at its best.

Angus Hastings: "For me, what I’ll always remember most is looking around and seeing people who had once been complete strangers, but who now I couldn’t imagine my life without. That’s what made the whole journey so special. History cannot be deleted, and I can’t wait to be in a pub with those boys in the years to come, reminiscing."

Ollie told us that it was only once he found out that he would be starting in the affair that the nerves kicked in.

"Honestly, I didn’t really feel nervous until I saw my name in the starting XI. That was the moment it properly hit me - all my family and friends were going to see me walking out at Wembley.

"It was actually a dream I had manifested two years prior, so to finally be in that position was a really proud moment for me. Walking out at Wembley is something every young boy who grows up loving football dreams about, so to actually live that dream was incredibly special."