The Wembley dream could move one step closer to becoming a reality for Ipswich Wanderers on Saturday.

The Thurlow Nunn Premier Division outfit host Essex Senior League outfit, Bowers & Pitsea, at Humber Doucy Lane, in the last-16 of the FA Vase.

The winners have been handed another golden chance to progress, with a home draw against Kidlington, from Oxfordshire, on February 20 the prize on offer.

Wanderers reached the fifth round, courtesy of a superb 3-1 win at Bodmin Town on Saturday, and for manager Glenn Read, the excitement accompanying the cup run has just cranked up a notch.

“The journey has been great for the club and it starts to get a bit serious the further you progress,” said Read.

“We would like to go all the way and anything can happen in a cup run. There is a long way to go but it all becomes a little more real now.”

Read’s side were in league action last night, losing 2-1 at home to Stanway Rovers, but now all the focus will be on the Vase and the Wanderers boss knows calm heads will be required in the latter stages.

“The likes of David Head, Stuart Wardley and Mark Goldfinch have played at a higher level, and they are great to have in the squad,” added Read.

Wanderers should be cheered on by a bigger crowd than usual on Saturday, especially with Ipswich Town away at QPR, but Read said the club had already been well supported down in Cornwall.

“There were about 280 people at Bodmin on Saturday, including three or four “Ultras” from our club,” he said.

“To be fair, our small band of people were the only people you could hear.”