GREAT Wakering Rovers boss Marcus Bowers says last season’s Wembley woe has made him even more determined to succeed.

Wakering, who host Southend United in a pre-season friendly tomorrow, were beaten 3-0 by Romford in the FA Vase final in May.

But Bowers is now firmly focused on making the forthcoming Essex Senior League campaign one to remember.

“Wembley was a dream come true, but what happened on the day performance-wise wasn’t a good account of ourselves,” said Bowers.

“It’s made myself and the lads still here even more determined to go again this season and they believe we can do it again.

“It will be something special to do it, but why not?

“We’ve built a squad that’s ready to go on a charge on all fronts.”

However, it is very much the league campaign which remains Bowers’ main target.

“Our hopes are the play-offs at an absolute minimum,” said Bowers.

“Of course another Vase run would be lovely and so would a little FA Cup run but the league is the bread and butter.

“We’re ambitious as a management team and the chairman is ambitious too.

“With his guidance around us I believe we will be around the play-off places but I’d like to skip them and win the league.

“There’s no reason why we can’t do that either and I firmly believe the squad we’ve built is good enough to do that.”

Wakering’s squad has changed since the end of last season.

And Bowers is pleased with the players he has to pick from.

“There have been changes but I wouldn’t say they were drastic,” said Bowers.

“We’ve lost a few players and they had their reasons for moving on but they went with my best wishes and that’s football.

“We’ve recruited in areas where we felt like we needed to recruit and the core we’ve retained we’re really pleased with.

“We believe we’ve brought in top players and I’m really excited.

“There are a few players people should definitely keep an eye on because I believe they will be big players in this league for us.”

The new-look squad face the Shrimpers at Burroughs Park tomorrow.

And Bowers is looking forward to the friendly.

“It’s really exciting,” said the Wakering boss.

“We’re going up against a team who are full-time professionals and it’s a real opportunity for us and the club.

“We’d like to see a lot of people over there and there has been a lot of interest in it already which is good.

“It will be tough for us but it will be a learning crive and I hope we can take a lot away from the game.”