SIMON Gardner jetted off on holiday with a huge smile on his face after his Calne Town side upset Christchurch to book their place in the first round proper of the FA Vase last weekend.

The Lilywhites chief departed for Egypt on Monday and felt no guilt about sunning himself near the Red Sea after watching Calne beat their Sydenhams League Premier Division opponents 2-1 at Bremhill View on Saturday.

The hosts took the lead 13 minutes in, with Stuart Windsor finishing off an incisive counter-attack involving goalkeeper Jamie Bartlett and Tom Boakes.

Alex Hamilton hit the post before Gardner’s men were awarded a penalty for a Christchurch handball, but Glenn Armstrong’s spot-kick was saved by visiting goalie Paul Roast.

Mark Smith’s spectacular strike levelled things up but second half substitute Darrin Moss came off the bench to net Calne’s winner.

“The first half an hour was some of the best football that I’ve seen us play. The boys were a bit deflated at half-time because they’d scored an equaliser but the strike gave Jamie Bartlett no chance – Peter Shilton wouldn’t have saved it,” said Gardner.

“When Darrin Moss curled one home in the second half, the boys on the sideline went crazy. You could see how much it meant to them because it was the FA Vase.

“We had a few drinks in the bar afterwards and it was great to celebrate it. Progressing in this competition made a lot.”

Calne have been handed a home tie with Bridport, who ominously thrashed East Cowes Victoria 11-0 in the second qualifying round last weekend, in the next round on November 1.

Gardner added: “Hopefully we can put up a better challenge and obviously, you never know in football.”

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