HULLBRIDGE Sports’ manager Mark Bliss says having the opportunity to surpass last season’s success in the FA Vase is a “terrific personal achievement” for all at the club.

Bliss led his side to a 1-0 win over Great Yarmouth Town on Tuesday to seal their passage to the fourth round of the competition for the second consecutive year.

A goal from Charlie Little seven minutes from time proved the difference at Lower Road and, having upset the odds to beat AFC Rushden & Diamonds in the previous round, they will now travel to Flackwell Heath of the Hellenic Premier Division on Saturday, January 17.

And Bliss has called on his side to go even further in the competition this year.

“To match last season’s achievement in this competition is an achievement in itself, but now we are in the last 32 we want to go beyond the fourth round,” he said.

“We always head into a match wanting to do our best and to make it through was great. Beating AFC Rushden & Diamonds was a big win for us and we ground out the result on Tuesday.

“There wasn’t a lot in it but the red cards (one for each side including Sports’ goalkeeper Bobby Mason) changed the game. We were able to take advantage and that proved the difference. We brought Kurtis Clarke on and he made the difference.”

There was a question mark over whether the Lower Road pitch would be in a playable condition but, after some hard graft from the groundstaff, it went ahead without a pitch inspection.

If the match had been called off, Sports would have had to travel to Great Yarmouth on Tuesday in accordance with the FA’s rules.

“I am pleased the match went ahead as I wouldn’t have fancied a trip up there. But luckily the pitch was playable after some terrific work from the groundstaff and we were able to get the game on.

“Saying that if we went away and had a full squad to choose from I would still have fancied us to progress.”

Bliss admits he and his side will be stepping into the unknown when they visit Flackwell Heath next month, but he insisted he wasn’t concerned about that.

“I don’t know much about them at all,” said the Sports manager. “I wanted the team to focus solely on Great Yarmouth and not dedicate any thought to the next round until we got there.

“But that is what is great about this competition. It is a step into the unknown and we will enjoy our trip there.

“It is a terrific personal achievement for the players and staff,” he added.

“But more than that, it is great for this club.

“There are a lot of people behind the scenes who do so much hard work and this is for them as much as anyone.”