Season 2014/15 - 1st Round Proper

Here is my review of last weekend’s FA Vase 1st Round Proper as I travelled to Wembley FC on the team coach of Bowers & Pitsea:-

The Journey

Well the manager of Bowers Rob Small (Smallsy to most) invited me to travel on the team coach to North London for their FA Vase tie last weekend.  I gladly accepted this invite as it saved me the trials and tribulations of central London and the tubes!!!  We arrived into Vale Farm at around 1pm so plenty of time to have a beer or two before the match.  Wembley have a nice bar area and lots of comfy seats to sit down and watch the football on the tv’s they have their.   After a few shandy’s I headed out to soak up the ‘atmosphere’.

The Ground

Vale Farm is a pretty decent ground with plenty of covered seats and terracing and a friendly enough bloke on the turnstile to welcome you.  They also have a team sheet pinned up on the wall next to the burger bar as you walk in so that helps too!! (although I had got both official team sheets off the Bowers secretary and manager so I was well looked after!!).  The food at the burger bar was, well, average lets say.  I didn’t trust the burgers so went for a portion of chips which tasted like they had been well salted!!!  Still I was that hungry I munched them all up and with my salt intake at an all time high I settled down for the match.

The Match

Wembley 3 Bowers & Pitsea 2 – 1st Round Proper, Saturday 1st November

Wembley had the first sight of goal on six minutes as first shot was blocked and then the follow up effort from Joe Wright is cleared off the line.  Wright then found himself in on goal three minutes later but Leatherbarrow saved at his near post.   Then a minute later Wembley attacked again and Yasine Fehmi-Gil’s effort was just wide although the flag had gone up for offside but the home side had definately started the better.

Bowers had their first sniff of goal on 12 minutes when a long kick by keeper Leatherbarrow caught out the Wembley defence but Lewis Manor’s header was weak and didn’t trouble the Wembley net.  On 18 minutes a Jamie Salmon free kick went just over the bar as the visitors started to claw their way back into the game.

A corner from Bowers on 21 minutes caused problems in the Wembley defence and it ended with Salmon’s shot being well blocked and on 26 minutes Bowers almost gifted a goal to Yasine Fehmi-Gil as a pass across their own box almost gave Leatherbarrow issues but he managed to get to the ball before Yasine Fehmi-Gil could nip in and score.  Yasine Fehmi-Gil did find the net however in the 29th minute when after a free kick was awarded to the home side he struck home past Leatherbarrow from 25 yards out to give the North Londen side the lead.

Wembley were well and truly on the front foot again and ten minutes before half time a poor header from Durrant allowed Joe Wright in on goal but he could only lob the ball over the bar.  And a minute later Dujon Desagurante had a chance for Wembley but he could only hit over the bar as he home side looked the most likely to score.  Bowers had a chance five minutes before the break when the ball fell to Tom Hine but his volley was poor and well wide of the target and then right on half time down the other end a Wembley counter attack resulted in Yasine Fehmi-Gil playing in strike partner Joe Wright who cut back inside but curled his effort well wide.  So at the half the score was Wembley 1 Bowers & Pitsea 0.

Wembley began the second half on the front foot just like they had ended the first half and on 51 minutes a free kick whistled through the Bowers area but it invaded everybody and went off for a goal kick.

Bowers centre back Dan Brown then suddenly burst down the right hand side on 53 minutes but sadly his cross found nobody and then on 58 minutes another cross just invaded Lewis Manor as the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game so far.

Just past the hour mark Yasine Fehmi-Gil caused more problems for the Bowers back line when he drove into the box but his cross into the six yard box was well saved by Leatherbarrow and he dived in the loose ball and got a kick for his troubles but it was good keeping.  Another cross into Wembley’s box, this time from full back Vinny Durrant, gave the home keeper Bart Fogler something to think about as he just about hung onto his cross, this was after two decent strikes at goal were blocked by the home defence.

On 67 minutes another ball into Wembley’s box caused a scramble which ended with Fogler diving on top of the ball and then Wembley attacked and doubled their lead when Alex Withamghosted into the box and then finished cutely past Leatherbarrow to give the home side some breathing space.  Alex Witham danced through the defence again on 70 minutes but this time his shot lacked conviction and was saved by Leatherbarrow.

Bowers again pumped a cross into the Wembley area on 74 minutes courtesy of Durrant and it was only just dealt with.  Bowers were missing a goalscorer as they had been the better side in this half but just could not convert their pressure into goals.  However with nine minutes left they did grab a goal back when a corner was glanced home by sub Ross Adams and it was most certainly game on!!!

But then four minutes later Bowers conceded a truly awful goal when keeper Fogler launced a long kick upfield and the Bowers defence stopped allowing Joe Wright to run free behind them and as the ball bounced Wright beat the onrushing Leatherbarrow to the ball by somehow back heading it over him into the empty net.  It was a crushing blow to the visitors having just got a foothold in the game.

Wembley should of made it four on 87 minutes when Joe Wright drove into the box and squared the ball back to Yasine Fehmi-Gil who from barely six yards out with the goal at his mercy somehow contrived to blast it miles wide.  A minute later and Bowers were right back in the game once again when Lewis Manor turned home a cross from the right in off the bar to make the last few minutes nervy for the home side.

They could of sealed the deal however a minute later as Joe Wright beat the offside trap but as he rounded Leatherbarrow and was about to pull the trigger Dan Brown got back to clear the danger.  Lewis Manor had a sight of goal on 90 minutes but his effort from the edge of the box was weak and easy for Fogler and then three minutes into stoppage time Yasine Fehmi-Gil forced a good save from Leatherbarrow.  It was a manic last ten minutes or so and a decent game all round but Wembley came out victors and probably deserved their victory overall.  They now face Brantham Athletic at home in Round Two on 22nd November.  Full time Wembley 3 Bowers & Pitsea 2.

Wembley: 1.Bart Fogler 2.Adam HUmphries 3.Toby Webb 4.Richard Brown 5.Wayne Walters 6.Steve O’Reilly 7.Ian Bates 8.Alex Witham 9.Joe Wright 10.Yasine Fehmi-Gil 11.Dujon Desagurante

Subs: Issac Alabi, Charlie McKee Carl Pearce, Taiwo Edun

Bowers & Pitsea: 1.Garron Leatherbarrow 2.Neil Marron 3.Vincent Durrant 4.Frank Everett 5.Luke Wilson 6.Harley Kee 7.Tom Hine 8.Aaron Russell 9.Jamie Salmon 10.Ashley Wackers-Kyriacou 11.Lewis Manor

Subs: Ross Adams, Daniel Madden, Julian Simon-Parson, Rob Whitnell, Tom North, Dan Brown

Att: 32

For First half highlights click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2_tM3lg2nY

For Second half highlights click here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx8z3RpD6zI

Here are some photos of the match:-

Post match and journey home

The temperature had dropped alarmingly from kick off so a hasty retreat to the bar for another beer was in order.  We all sat down watching the full times come in from around the country while the players enjoyed some chilli con carne (which looked and smelt better than the food in the burger bar earlier!!!).

At around 5.30pm we said our farewells and got back in the coach for the journey home.  Highlight of the journey home was the singing on the microphone from various players and staff of Bowers which got everyone smiling!!!  I eventually got back home after 9pm utterly exhausted but happy in the knowledge that I’d had a great day out.  I will be returning to Vale Farm on 22nd November for the Wembley v Brantham Athletic tie although this time on trains/tubes!!!  Will certainly be a different experience no doubt!!!

Before moving onto the results for the 1st Round Proper there was one tie still left over from the qualifying round between Maltby Main & Dronfield Town, here is a recap of what happened in the original replay that took place on Wednesday 8th October:-

Maltby Main 3 Dronfield Town 1 (match abandoned after 87 minutes, please see below)

The FA Vase Second Qualifying Round Replay between Maltby Main and Dronfield Town on Wednesday evening was abandoned by the referee after disgraceful scenes in the final minutes.

With Maltby leading 3-1 in a bad-tempered clash the game erupted on 87 minutes after a foul.

Punches were thrown by at least five or six players and Dronfield player William Earl was kicked on the leg, which resulted in a suspected broken leg.

An ambulance took Earl to hospital.

Referee Mr Bannister from Featherstone sent off Carlton Dickson from Dronfield Town and Bob Branagan from Maltby, who it was alleged had aimed the deliberate kick at Earl.

However, with players, managers, club officials and a spectator on the field the referee abandoned the match.

Dronfield led 1-0 at half time but in the second half Maltby pulled back to lead 3-1.

As of yet I don’t know if this result will stand or not but I’m sure we will find out in due course what repercussions will come from these apparent dreadful scenes.

Since then the FA ordered the match to be replayed from the beginning and Dronfield Town won the match 2-0 and therefore progress to the 1st Round Proper.

Here are those 1st Round Proper results in full:-

Saturday 1st November

Chessington & Hook United 2 Camberley Town 1 (aet)

Colne 2 Shildon 3 (aet)

Bootle 2 Barton Town Old Boys 5

Dronfield Town 2 Chadderton 1 (pending FA investigation)

West Allotment Celtic 2 Runcorn Town 4

North Shields 4 AFC Emley 2

Daisy Hill 0 Atherton Collieries 8

Marske United 5 Winterton Rangers 0

Bishop Auckland 3 Holker Old Boys 0

Bottesford Town 1 Ryhope CW 1 (aet)

Selby Town 2 Seaham Red Star 4

Guisborough Town 3 Billingham Synthonia 1

St Helens Town 3 Yorkshire Amateur 1

Sunderland RCA 1 Handsworth Parramore 0

Bedlington Terriers 1 Whitley Bay 4

AFC Darwen 2 Maine Road 0

Winsford United 2 Tadcaster Albion 3

Consett 2 Silsden AFC 1

West Didbury & Chorlton 1 Glossop North End 2

Gedling MW 0 AFC Mansfield 2

Long Eaton United 0 Worksop Town 3

Walsall Wood 3 AFC Bridgnorth 2

Borrowash Victoria 2 Belper United 1 (at Moor Lane, Allenton, Derby)

Pegasus Juniors 4 Aston 0

Boldmere St Michaels 2 Thurnby Nirvana 4

Rocester 3 Brocton 6

Bromsgrove Sporting 3 Nuneaton Griff 2

Ellistown & Ibstock United 2 Hanley Town 1

Blidworth Welfare 0 Willenhall Town 2

Southam United 1 Cleethorpes Town 5

Shepshed Dynamo 5 Oadby Town 0

Dunkirk 7 Graham St Prims 2

Gornal Athletic 3 Studley 2

AFC Wulfrunians 0 Heanor Town 0 (aet)

Wellington 2 Bolehall Swifts 3

Welwyn Garden City 1 Peterborough Sports 2 (aet)

Eton Manor 0 St Margaretsbury 1

Deeping Rangers 1 Wivenhoe Town 0

Woodbridge Town 0 Huntingdon Town 3

Irchester United 0 Fakenham Town 4

Oxhey Jets 4 Tower Hamlets 1

Kirkley & Pakefield 2 Colney Heath 3

Saffron Walden Town 2 Whitton United 1

Hertford Town 1 Stanway Rovers 1 (aet; Stanway Rovers won 6-5 on penalties)

Holbeach United 2 Gorleston 0

Sun Sports 3 Harefield United 1

Haringey Borough 1 Northampton Spencer 1 (aet)

Berkhamsted 0 Kings Langley 3

Peterborough Northern Star 1 Stotfold 0

AFC Kempston Rovers 3 Felixstowe & Walton United 1

Ipswich Wanderers 1 Cockfosters 0

AFC Dunstable 5 Haverhill Borough 2

Enfield 1893 0 Tring Athletic 4

Godmanchester Rovers 0 Yaxley 0 (aet)

Waltham Forest 1 Great Yarmouth Town 2

Wembley 3 Bowers & Pitsea 2

London Colney 2 Baldock Town 1

Colliers Wood United 4 Ringmer 3 (aet)

Eastbourne Town 1 Erith & Belvedere 2 (aet)

Hassocks 3 Corinthian 1

Littlehampton Town 4 Guildford City 2 (aet)

Ashford Town (Middx) 2 Loxwood 3

Lingfield 5 Epsom & Ewell 1

Raynes Park Vale 1 Westfield 3

Chertsey Town 1 Horley Town 2

Arundel 0 Phoenix Sports 2

Lordswood 0 Knaphill 1

Greenwich Borough 7 Hailsham Town 1

Tunbridge Wells 3 Rochester United 1

Erith Town 4 Banstead Athletic 1

Pagham 2 Spelthorne Sports 1

Thatcham Town 1 Flackwell Heath 4

Bradford Town 5 Malmesbury Victoria 3

Ardley United 1 Chippenham Park 2

Hook Norton 0 Newport IOW 2

Ringwood Town 1 United Services Portsmouth 3

Windsor 1 Highworth Town 4

Holmer Green 2 Ascot United 2 (aet)

Verwood Town 2 Fareham Town 0

Calne Town 1 Bridport 2 (aet)

Melksham Town 2 Highmoor Ibis 1 (aet)

Thame United 2 Chinnor 1

Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2 Cowes Sports 0

Winchester City 0 Horndean 3

Farnham Town 3 Abingdon United 3 (aet)

AFC Portchester 2 Reading Town 1

Folland Sports 2 Sherborne Town 1

AFC St Austell 4 Saltash United 0

Plymouth Parkway 4 Tuffley Rovers 1

Buckland Athletic 1 Longwell Green Sports 0 (aet)

St Blazey 4 Gillingham Town 1

Shepton Mallet 2 Brislington 1

Welton Rovers 3 Brimscombe & Thrupp 1

Newquay 1 Slimbridge AFC 3

Odd Down 4 Falmouth Town AFC 3

Bristol Manor Farm 3 Radstock Town 0

Sunday 2nd November

1874 Northwich 2 Ashton Town 1

Shaw Lane Aquaforce 4 Runcorn Linnets 1

Mickleover Royals 3 Eccleshall 0

Fisher 2 Crawley Down Gatwick 2 (aet)

Horsham YMCA 3 Bedfont Sports 1

Replays

Tuesday 4th November

Ryhope CW 2 Bottesford Town 1

Heanor Town 3 AFC Wulfrunians 0

Northampton Spencer 0 Haringey Borough 0 (aet; Northampton Spencer won 4-3 on penalties)

Yaxley 4 Godmanchester Rovers 0

Ascot United 7 Holmer Green 0

Abingdon United 5 Farnham Town 1

Wednesday 5th November

Crawley Down Gatwick 2 Fisher 2 (aet; Crawley Down Gatwick won 4-3 on penalties)

So that concluded the First Round Proper, with the 101 winning sides joining the 27 ‘big boys’ who had byes through to the 2nd Round Proper, the last 128 of the competition.  The draw was made on Monday and here it is:-

Second Round Proper

Friday 21st November

Chippenham Park v Bradford Town

Saturday 22nd November

Bishop Auckland v 1874 Northwich

Glossop North End v Bottesford Town

Alnwick Town v St Helens Town

Dunston UTS v Guisborough Town

Newcastle Benfield v Ashington

Marske United v Barton Town Old Boys

West Auckland Town v Shaw Lane Aquaforce

AFC Darwen v Dronfield Town

Shildon v Runcorn Town

Sunderland RCA v North Shields

Atherton Collieries v Seaham Red Star

Congleton Town v Whitley Bay

Consett AFC v Whickham

Tadcaster Albion v Morpeth Town

Worksop Town v Ellistown & Ibstock United

Bolehall Swifts v Dunkirk

Westfields v St Andrews

Wisbech Town v Cleethorpes Town

Thurnby Nirvana v Gornal Athletic

Shepshed Dynamo v AFC Mansfield

Heanor Town v Coleshill Town

Borrowash Victoria v Bromsgrove Sporting

Brocton v Pegasus Juniors

Causeway United v Walsall Wood

Sun Sports v Stanway Rovers

London Colney v Northampton Spencer

St Margaretsbury v Ipswich Wanderers

Peterborough Sports v Peterborough Northern Star

Hullbridge Sports v AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Holbeach United v Huntingdon Town

Norwich United v AFC Kempston Rovers

Yaxley v Fakenham Town

Deeping Rangers v Oxhey Jets

AFC Dunstable v Colney Heath

Saffron Walden Town v Kings Langley

Ampthill Town v Tring Athletic

Wembley v Brantham Athletic

Great Yarmouth Town v Hadleigh United

Erith Town v Phoenix Sports

Lingfield v Chessington & Hook United

Horndean v Ascot United

Hassocks v Ashford United

Hanworth Villa v Knaphill

Eastbourne United v Horley Town

Horsham YMCA v Erith & Belvedere

Abingdon United v Littlehampton Town

East Preston v Flackwell Heath

Westfield v Tunbridge Wells

Pagham v Colliers Wood United

United Services Portsmouth v AFC Portchester

Crawley Down Gatwick v Greenwich Borough

Newport IOW v Loxwood

Alresford Town v Thame United

Odd Down v Hallen

Verwood Town v Plymouth Parkway

Folland Sports v AFC St Austell

Buckland Athletic v Bristol Manor Farm

Blackfield & Langley v Bemerton Heath Harlequins

Melksham Town v Slimbridge AFC

Bodmin Town v St Blazey

Highworth Town v Bridport

Shepton Mallet AFC v Welton Rovers

Sunday 23rd November

Mickleover Royals v Willenhall Town