It has not happened for nine years, but after seven postponements and a 660-plus mile round trip Ipswich Wanderers are finally in the quarter-finals of the FA Vase.

The club had been waiting for around six weeks to play their fourth round tie away at Bodmin Town, first due to delays to the Cornish club’s fixture in the previous round and then to the Wanderers’ game itself.

Flying high at the top of the Carlsberg South West Peninsular League, unbeaten in the division and with a goal difference of 65 the hosts were formidable opposition for the Suffolk outfit, just four places above the relegation zone in the Thurlow Nunn Premier.

But despite the apparent imbalance going into the match chairman Keith Lloyd said he was confident about his side’s chances.

“We were definitely ready to go,” he said yesterday. “I personally was very optimistic.

“We have had a few matches struggling in the league but we have got a really good squad of players and they always seem to come up trumps.”

The hosts actually led early on, scoring on 15 minutes after the visitors’ Ben Deacon had a goal ruled out by the officials.

However it was Deacon’s cross which led to the equaliser, Severy scoring the goal and the Suffolk side led at half time thanks to a Myhill volley.

The game was made safe with a well taken penalty from Bradlaugh after Deacon was brought down on the edge of the Bodmin box.

Mr Lloyd said when the third goal went in he was able to relax but was sure “right from the off” Wanderers would be able to pull off a cup upset.

And he praised the team’s goalkeeper for his performance after making a crucial early save in boggy conditions.

“We have got this fantastic young ‘keeper, Callum Deacon, who we have had to sign just for the Vase because our main ‘keeper is cup tied,” he said. “He’s been superb.

“Within the first few minutes he had to make a save when it looked like it was going to be a Bodmin goal and I thought ‘We’re going to be fine’.

There was also praise for the travelling supporters, who Mr Lloyd said made more noise than the 250-odd home fans throughout the game.

But now attention will quickly turn to the quarter-final fixture – which would have been played on Saturday if it were not for the repeated postponements.

Essex side Bowers and Pitsea will be making the trip to Humber Doucy Lane next Saturday for the cup tie, only Wanderers’ second appearance at this stage of the competition.

Nine years ago a home loss to eventual finalists AFC Totton was the furthest the Ipswich side had progressed in the Vase.