Fans flocked in their thousands to England's national stadium to witness these two step 5 non-league clubs battle it out in the FA Vase final for the first time in their histories, and Stockton started the brighter of the sides. In a cagey opening, the yellows made the most of apparent nerves throughout the Thatcham team to create a goalscoring opportunity just after the quarter of an hour mark. Fred Woodhouse capitalised on space in the Thatcham back-line and attempted a lob which Chris Rackley got a hand on, and Babz Jarra won the foot-race with an opponent to put the loose ball behind for a corner with a brave header.

With Thatcham growing into the game, the decisive moment came on 22 minutes, as Jordan Brown was brought down when showing a lethal turn of pace to surge into the area. The referee pointed to the spot, giving Shane Cooper-Clark - who had been the focus of so much attention in the build-up to the game for his goalscoring exploits this season - the chance to write his name into the history books. The number 9 hammered the spot-kick towards the centre of goal, with the keeper getting a hand to it but being unable to keep it out.

This gave the Kingfishers the impetus they needed to exert further pressure on Stockton, with Ekow Elliott going close with two shots in quick succession before Gavin James engineered himself a shooting opportunity inside the area but put his effort just wide.

Stockton were doing well to contain us and continued to pose a threat on the break via both flanks with their big centre forwards Woodhouse and Jamie Owens engaged in a fascinating duel with Thatcham's Jarra and Tom Moran in the heart of defence.

The next good chance came for Cooper-Clark just before half-time after Elliott was brought down in a dangerous area. Cooper-Clark's free-kick came back off the wall and he tried an audacious volley on the rebound which the Stockton keeper Michael Arthur did well to catch down to his left to keep the score at 1-0 going in at the break.

The second half started much as the first had, with Stockton quick out of the blocks and causing chaos in the Thatcham defence as Rackley raced out to close down Chris Stockton, leaving a defensive sea of bodies to guard his vacated goal, Angell providing the decisive block on the resultant goalbound effort.

10 minutes into the second half we exchanged chances with Stockton, first Elliott firing off target after good hold-up play and a lay-off from Gavin James, before Stockton's Owens dragged an effort narrowly wide.

Elliott was enjoying a purple patch on the left flank, superbly teasing and dribbling around his man before squaring to James who was unable to convert from close range with an attempted flick, shortly before James turned provider for Cooper-Clark who drove a shot at the keeper.

Our onslaught on the Stockton goal continued as an interception from Harrison Bayley - dovetailing with the excellent Tom Melledew throughout - started a move that saw Cooper-Clark cross for James whose effort struck the underside of the bar and came down on the line. With goal-line technology in use today, no questions can be asked of whether or not it crossed the line!

Half-way through the second half and Thatcham players were beginning to struggle with cramp in the heat, so it came as no surprise to start to see changes with Jemel Johnson replacing Brown before another chance came our way. James broke into the area and chipped a cross that evaded everyone, including sub Johnson at the far post who would have preferred a ball along the floor.

Ross Cook was the next substitute, on for Cooper-Clark shortly after a melee of quickfire chances in the Stockton area which failed to result in a goal. Thatcham were almost made to rue this series of missed opportunities with Owens forcing himself into a shooting opportunity only for his nemesis Jarra to clear off the line.

Stockton had the bit between their teeth as the imperious Melledew made way for Ashleigh James and forced a succession of corners, but Thatcham held firm before Cook fired just over the bar at the other end.

Being roared on by their fans, Stockton had time for one last hurrah, their keeper going up for a corner which almost ended calamitously for them as we quickly worked the ball clear to Cook who, being cheered on by the Thatcham following, shot toward the open net from outside the box, only for Matthew Garbutt to slide in and divert the ball behind for a corner.

Thatcham were professional in their retention of the ball from the corner and held out for the referee to blow the final whistle and cue wild scenes of celebration that will live long in the memories of the players, the staff and committee and, most of all, the fans for many years to come.

Team : Rackley; Brownhill, Angell, Moran, Jarra; Melledew, Bayley, Brown, Elliott; Cooper-Clark, G James. Subs : (used) Johnson, Cook, A James (unused) Thomas, Grant.