BIRTHDAY boy Ian Chalk was Bemerton Heath Harlequins’ lucky charm on the day he turned 49, after dusting down his boots to help out his depleted squad.

The Western Way boss was given little alternative but to name himself on Harlequins’ bench, being the only sub available following 23 unavailabilities for the FA Vase trip to Wincanton Town.

But Chalk, who made a cameo appearance with ten minutes remaining, watched his side come to the fore and smash an almighty five goals past the hosts. And to top it off, they managed a clean sheet as well.

Chalk hailed his charges, who’ve have been rewarded with a £600 cheque, along with a home tie to Moneyfields in the second qualifying round.

“I have never known a day like it. Players were dropping like flies in the morning, and at one point I was starting,” Chalk explained.

“However, I have never been prouder of any team I have been involved with and the lads never let the shortage of players become an excuse.

“I had Jack Slade injured but he had to play. I also had centre halves playing right back and obviously I had to name myself on the bench which, although enjoyable, is well short of ideal. We had no right to win the game but it was nothing short of brilliant from everyone involved.”

Wincanton, top of the Western league and undefeated, were in a confident mood but they could not have expected the onslaught Bemerton were to dish out.

Graham Mankin started the scoring in the first minute after touching home Jack Eves’ corner to head the visitors in front. And one quickly became two following a free-flowing move down the left hand side, the injured Slade crossed for Seb Dawes to volley in at the far post.

The hosts could not stem the flow and constantly lost possession under increased pressure from the visitors and the third duly arrived before half time when young Ben Spratt delivered a stunning cross into the box where Slade applied the finish with a superb header into the corner.

Bemerton rued further missed chances and, in the meantime, keeper Max Frampton was tested.

Scott Joyce later volleyed home a fourth to put the game to bed, despite Frampton being called upon to save a strange penalty awarded to Wincanton.

In the final stages, Slade, nursing an injury, was replaced by Chalk, who immediately got into the thick of things, setting up Joyce for his brace and Bemerton’s fifth. And Chalk nearly got on the score sheet, only for his 25-yard corker to cannon off the upright.

Harlequins meet Winchester City in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).