DEVIZES TOWN: JUBILANT Maldon boss Colin Wallington admitted he expected Devizes to pose a sterner test of his side's credentials as they clinched an FA Vase semi-final spot for the first time in their history.

The lifelong West Ham supporter is dreaming of leading his men out at Upton Park for the final on May 10 and was a happy man after seeing them take another step towards achieving that ambition at Nursteed Road.

But the former Millwall player was surprised at the ease with which his side brushed aside their hosts and shared the view of his opposite number Pete Tripp that Devizes had not shown the effort required to win.

Said Wallington: "To be honest, I thought we outcompeted them. They didn't get the chances they were hoping for on the day.

"When I saw them play, they worked hard to close things down. The one thing I was worried about was the competitive side of the game, but we were more competitive team all round.

"They are in a similar situation to us in their league, so we had to be careful that we didn't expect to just come here and win. In the next round we won't have that problem, because we never expected to be there in the first place."

Wallington watched Devizes beat Bishop Sutton 4-2 on February 15 and arrived at Nursteed Road on Saturday with the aim of stretching the home back line.

Stuart Gray and Nicky Smith pulled the strings in midfield and consistently provided wide men Craig Huttley and Ian Smith with possession. Wallington felt his mater plan had worked a treat.

He said: "The game plan was to get to at them down the lines because I thought they looked a little bit slow at the back when I watched them play. I thought, if we opened them up down the wings, then that would be a way through for us. We had so much domination down the flanks, but didn't get the ball in the box as much as we should have.

"We won the game in the first half and it was just a case of concentrating and making sure we didn't do anything stupid. They had one shot in the second half and that was right at the death. Nicky Smith and Robbie Reinalt showed what quality players they are. Reinalt was pure class for 90 minutes."

Wallington now firmly believes his men will triumph in this season's competition, despite their indifferent form in the Jewson Eastern Counties League.

He said: "That is my dream and I honestly believe my players can do it. I have believed that since we beat Lowestoft in the last round.

"I'm so pleased. We've got a nice two-legged semi-final next and we'll see how we get on from there."

Maldon captain Smith, who turned out in the colours of Swindon Town as a schoolboy, was delighted after making a winning return to Wiltshire.

He said: "Our preparations were fantastic and it showed in the performance. We came away from home, won 3-0 and dominated. Once we scored, it was all over. I was really pleased to score the second one. I had half a chance and just hit it and luckily it flew in."