IT is a moment Shane Cooper-Clark will never forget as long as he lives, writes Dave Wright.

Not only did he play at Wembley, he also scored the winning goal in a final.

“It’s the best feeling of my life,” beamed the Reading-based striker following Thatcham Town’s 1-0 FA Vase victory over Stockton.

After collecting his well-deserved medal, super Shane told the Chronicle: “I can’t really put into words how I am feeling right now.

“To get the winning goal as well, it’s just unbelievable, it doesn’t get any better.”

Cooper-Clark has enjoyed a sensational season with the Kingfishers, playing a vital role as they secured the Vase and the Hellenic League title.

He said on Sunday: “To win both is an amazing achievement by all the lads, not just those who played today but the whole of the squad. Everyone has been brilliant this season.

“Yes, I have scored a good number of goals, but I could not have done it without the help of the other lads. They set up the chances for me.”

The Hellenic League stats have him down for 62 goals this season, but Shane reckons his total should be 63.

None, however, has been more memorable than his winner on Saturday that sent close to 5,000 Thatcham fans jumping for joy.

It came midway through the first half after lively wide-man Jordan Brown had been hauled down in the area for a clear penalty.

Cooper-Clark admitted he was a “bit nervous” as he placed the ball on the spot.

“I just hit it and hoped for the best. As long as I got it on target that was all I was hoping and luckily it went in”

Stockton keeper Michael Arthur made a valiant effort to keep it out. Diving to his right as the ball thundered down the middle of the goal, Arthur stuck out his left hand to palm it down, but the penalty carried too much venom and it bounced high into the net.

“When I saw it drop in, what a relief it was – just brilliant.” added the marksman.

Thatcham, who grew in confidence after a nervy start, enjoyed the better of the first half and fully deserved to be ahead at half time.

But the Northern League side came back strongly and the second half was even more entertaining in the way of goalmouth action.

However, Thatcham didn’t panic, kept their shape well and created chances to double their advantage.

In the 63rd minute Gavin James gained possession in front of a gaping net and just had to stroke the ball over the line, but instead, he blazed it up against the underside of the crossbar before the ball dropped down on the line and was cleared.

As the game wore on, with both sides sending on fresh legs from the sub’s bench, Thatcham had to defend in depth as Stockton cranked up the pressure.

But Baboucarr Jarra continued to be a tower of strength at the heart of their defence with Tom Moran and keeper Chris Rackley giving solid support as they stood up to five Stockton corners in quick succession.

With the tie deep into stoppage time, Rackley’s opposite number, Arthur, came up for the last of them and very nearly got caught out.

The Kingfishers cleared their lines and broke swiftly away on the counter and substitute Ross Cook set his sights on the open goal. He must have been thinking how he would celebrate his goal, but his dream was shattered as a Stockton defender Matt Garbutt raced back to whip the ball away as it headed for an empty net.

But moments later the whole of Thatcham was in dreamland as skipper Tom Melledew collected the Vase for the first time in the club’s history.

Cooper-Clark’s final summing up before returning to the dressing room to celebrate was: “It has been the best season I have ever had. I doubt if I will ever have a better one.”

All of his team-mates will probably echo those thoughts.