The last day of the countdown, match day has arrived and we're looking at the actual game today and our opponents Wroxham. Ian Chandler announced his team to the http://www.newsguardian.co.uk last night. Terry Burke will make his 400th appearance for Whitley in goal. Callum Anderson, Craig McFarlane, Darren Timmons and captain, Leon Ryan, make up the back 4. Richard Hodgson, Damon Robson, Paul Robinson & Lee Kerr in midfield with Paul Chow and Adam Johnston up front. On the bench for Bay are Phill Bell, Josh Gillies, Lee Picton, Chris Reid and young keeper Tom Kindley. Chris Fawcett misses out after injuring his hamstring in our last training session. Yesterday saw the first game on the latest Wembley pitch when Barrow beat Stevenage after extra time in the FA Trophy final but Whitley are not concerned about the pitch at all, Ian Chandler told us he thinks the pitch will be "like a bowling green compared to some of the Northern League pitches we've played on recently" While this is Bay's 3rd FA Vase final this is the furtherst the Norfolk club have gone in the competition. Their previous best run in the Vase was back in 2002 when they came close to a game with Bay but lost 2-1 to Durham City in the Quarter Finals, Whitley went on to beat Durham in the Semi Final and claim our first Vase title at Villa Park. As Ian Chandler commented in yesterday's report Bay's run to the final has been a tough one, but Wroxham have put out excellent opposition to get here too. They put out big spending Whitehawk, comfortably in the Semi Final winning 4-1 on aggregate. They have actually been drawn away in all bar one round this year, although they have played 4 home games thanks to replays and the 2 legged semi final. In the quarter finals they overcame FA Vase regulars Needham Market 2-1 and earlier put out Royston Town, Armthorpe Welfare (on penalties after a replay), Flackwell Heath, Halstead Town(After a replay), Northampton Spencer and Gorleston (again after a replay). While Whitley Bay had a bye until the 2nd round of the competition Wroxham actually played their first game back on the 19th September and they have played 12 games to reach the final as oppose to Whitley's 8. Wroxham's main goalscoring threat appears to be Steve Spriggs who has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season including 5 in the FA Vase. Whitley will be the 5th team to attempt to defend their FA Vase title, 4 have been successful. In the infancy of the competition Billericay Town won back to back Vase finals (76 & 77), as did Halesowen Town in 85 & 86. In 1992 Guiseley became the first team to lose having reached the final as holders when they were beaten by Wimborne Town. As many Northern League fans will remember Tiverton Town were the last to retain the FA Vase, beating Tow Law in 98 and then Bedlington Terriers in 99. Whitley are also looking to become only the 2nd team to claim 3 Vase wins, Billericay actually winning 3 finals in 4 years in the late seventies. For those who aren't making the trip to Wembley (Why not!!) we will be providing our usual update service on this site and twitter including photographs from the build up and match. Radio Newcastle are also providing full match commentary (the online stream is available for this game). Howay The Bay! Click here for the full match preview including stats and a map to the ground.MM | 
