Canning Town 4 Biggleswade 5 (aet), Buildbase FA Vase First Round Proper, Saturday 22nd October 2016
So it was Buildbase FA Vase 1st Round Proper day and I was over at the Terrance McMillan Stadium at Newham Leisure Centre for the tie between Canning Town and Biggleswade.
Both sides had caused upsets in the previous round to get to this stage, Canning Town knocking out ESL side Southend Manor on penalties, whilst Biggleswade had also knocked out ESL opposition in the shape of Takeley after extra time, so both knew this would be a tight affair no doubt.
Hosts Canning Town were still Step 7 and an Intermediate side so the Step 6 and Senior side Biggleswade were probably slight favourites for this one however the hosts started the better and straight from the off almost saw Julian Edwards get in but the visiting keeper managed to punch clear.
The hosts looked well up for this battle and moments later saw an effort fly over from distance before a corner from the home side saw centre half Barratt head just wide. And then poor sloppy play from a visitors goal kick saw the hosts in on goal but the finish was lofted over. It was a great chance and after only ten minutes Canning Town could have already been a couple of goals to the good.
Biggleswade had not got going at all although they did produce a decent strike on twelve minutes but host keeper Nick Wilson was equal to it then moments later play switched down the other end and saw the hosts loop an effort over the bar. On the quarter hour mark Edwards got in for the hosts but poked a weak finish at the keeper as another golden chance went begging for the East Londeners.
And then midway through the half came their best chance of taking the lead when the hosts were awarded a penalty for handball, but Edwards saw his penalty saved and you wondered if it was going to be one of those days for the home side, however, two minutes later they were awarded another spot kick after a foul inside the area, and this time Dean Pearson took responsibility and converted to give Canning Town a more than deserved lead.
The goal seemed to see the hosts tempo drop though and let the visitors have more time on the ball and on 33 minutes a free kick saw Wilson make a brilliant save to his right to keep the hosts ahead and two minutes before the break Biggleswade struck another long range effort just wide but the hosts went into the break still ahead and more than happy with how things were panning out.
Half Time Canning Town 1 Biggleswade 0
Biggleswade knew they would simply have to turn up in the second half if they were going to stay in the competition and sure enough they came out a different side and six minutes into the half equalised when a George Riley cross was turned into his own net by Barratt at the near post, and then on 56 minutes the visitors had turned this tie on its head when sloppy play from the hosts saw keeper Wilson concede a penalty and Riley convert the spot kick, meaning the hosts were suddenly chasing the game.
You felt at this point though the extra fitness and speed of the visitors would shine through and on 63 minutes so nearly made it three when they got in behind the defence but saw Wilson make a brilliant stop to keep his side in the contest, and it proved a pivotal moment as only a couple of minutes later the hosts went up the other end and saw them smash home a leveller through Tommy Phillips and the tie was all square.
The goal gave Canning Town the belief again after it seemingly was drifting away and their tempo certainly was upped once again, however with nine minutes to go the visitors got their noses in front for the second time as a ball across the box was controlled and put beyond Wilson by George Bailey for what many thought could be the winning strike.
But this Canning Town side are made of strong stuff and unbelievably levelled just four minutes later when a scramble in the box was eventually rammed home by Ky Mclements to send this tie into extra time and with either side feeling they could win this tie it was hard to call who would come through the winners after the extra half hour.
Full Time Canning Town 3 Biggleswade 3
The opening period of extra time was fairly quiet on the chances front, that was until the hosts had a golden chance to take the lead right at the end of it, as they got in on goal but again they were wasteful and the chance went. The second period of extra time was a different kettle of fish though, beginning when the hosts thought they had headed themselves in front but then saw it ruled out for offside, but moments later they did lead when Edwards rifled home from inside the area, and Canning Town dared to dream of another upset.
Sadly for the hosts this tie was to have yet another twist and on 110 minutes saw the visitors level once again as a superb ball swung into the six yard box by Mark Franklin saw a close range header from Tom Cookman beat Wilson and set up the final ten minutes perfectly.
Wilson then had to produce a stunning one handed save to prevent the visitors from going in front and then it was Biggleswade’s turn to see a header ruled out for offside. The hosts then saw a close range header blocked for a corner as both sides went for the kill but with four minutes left and a replay looming, the visitors struck the killer blow as a ball across the six yard box saw Cookman get in front of his marker to turn home from close range, sending the visitors wild with delight.
It was a moment that finally decided this topsy turvy tie and for the losers it was utterly heartbreaking after they gave everything they had. They had more than played their part in what was an utterly outstanding cup tie, and although Biggleswade were the winners, football was the ultimate winner on the day. Fantastic stuff and both sides were a credit to themselves.
Full Time Canning Town 4 Biggleswade 5 (aet) (Pictures below)
So an utterly incredible tie eventually saw the Step Six side progress through to the next round of the competition. Who would join them? Well here are the First Round Proper results in full:-
Friday 21st October
FC Elmstead 0 Sporting Club Thamesmead 2
Saturday 22nd October
1874 Northwich 1 Billingham Synthonia 0
Stockport Town 1 Sunderland Ryhope CW 3
Penrith 3 Easington Colliery 1
Guisborough Town 0 Padiham 3
Runcorn Town 1 Hallam 2
South Shields 2 Runcorn Linnets 1
Charnock Richard 3 Barnoldswick Town 1 (aet)
Atherton LR 0 Chester-Le-Street Town 3
Ashton Town 0 Billingham Town 4
AFC Emley 3 Chadderton 1
Newcastle Benfield 3 Irlam 1
Atherton Colleries 5 Jarrow Roofing Boldon CA 0
Congleton Town 2 Hall Road Rangers 3
Holker Old Boys 1 Stockton Town 2
Litherland Remcya 1 Shildon 4
Shifnal Town 1 Quorn 4
Heanor Town 0 Blidworth Welfare 4
St Andrews 1 Paget Rangers 2
Long Eaton United 2 Coventry United 1
Wolverhampton Casuals 2 Chelmsley Town 1
Ashby Ivanhoe 3 Hucknall Town 4 (aet)
Handsworth Parramore 3 Shepshed Dynamo 4
Bromsgrove Sporting 5 Cadbury Athletic 3 (aet)
Westfields 6 Walsall Wood 0
Staveley MW 2 Pinxton 0
Holwell Sports 0 AFC Mansfield 2
Hinckley AFC 3 Wolverhampton SC 1 (aet)
Lichfield City 2 Shawbury United 1
Kirby Muxloe 0 Hemsworth MW 1
Penistone Church 1 Sherwood Colliery 2
Bottesford Town 2 Haughmond 0
Malvern Town 1 Worksop Town 2
Rocester 8 Oakham United 1
Uttoxeter Town 5 Leicester Road 4
Radford 3 Harborough Town 1 (aet)
Sporting Khalsa 1 Hanley Town 0
Coventry Copsewood 0 Holbeach United 2
Northampton Sileby Rangers A-A Oxhey Jets (tie abandoned after 15 minutes due to serious injury, scoreline was 1-0 to Northampton at the time)
Thetford Town 2 Great Yarmouth Town 1
Sporting Bengal United 0 Southall 3
Felixstowe & Walton United 4 Haverhill Borough 0
Broadfields United 2 London Bari 1
Highmoor Ibis 0 Holmer Green 1
Peterborough Sports 6 Swaffham Town 0
Waltham Forest 1 Rothwell Corinthians 2
Thrapston Town 3 Leverstock Green 7
Canning Town 4 Biggleswade 5 (aet)
Northampton On Chenecks 1 Ely City 3
Gorleston 2 Barking 0
Biggleswade United 2 Baldock Town 1
Flackwell Heath 0 Cockfosters 3
Walsham Le Willows 0 Tring Athletic 1
Crawley Green 1 Basildon United 2
Colney Heath 1 Hoddesdon Town 4
Daventry Town 2 Newport Pagnell Town 3
Godmanchester Rovers 0 London Colney 3
Yaxley 0 Stanway Rovers 1
St Margaretsbury 3 Ilford 2
Peterborough Northern Star 1 Sun Sports 3
Welwyn Garden City 3 Saffron Walden Town 1
Wembley 5 Desborough Town 2
Banstead Athletic 1 Crowborough Athletic 3
Wick 0 Haywards Heath Town 1
Bedfont Sports 5 Buckingham Town 4
Canterbury City 3 Lydney Town 0
Hollands & Blair 0 Ascot United 1
Walton & Hersham 3 Thame United 0
Croydon 4 Bracknell Town 1
Epsom & Ewell 1 Bridon Ropes 0
Horsham YMCA 3 Horndean 2
Eastbourne United 2 Horley Town 0
Shoreham 2 Glebe 3
Beckenham Town 1 Lancing 3
Eastbourne Town 9 Tooting & Mitcham Wanderers 0
Fairford Town 1 Andover Town 2
Alton Town 0 Corinthian 2
Ash United 0 Chichester City 4
Alresford Town 5 Lingfield 3
Lordswood 1 Newhaven 2
Abingdon United 1 Thatcham Town 3
Cribbs 1 Odd Down 1
Devizes Town 0 Gillingham Town 3
Amesbury Town 0 Brimscombe & Thrupp 1
Helston Athletic 1 Team Solent 2
Street 0 Blackfield & Langley 2
Bournemouth 0 Melksham Town 3
Calne Town 0 Torpoint Athletic 2
Tuffley Rovers 4 Sherborne Town 0
Cullompton Rangers 1 Hengrove Athletic 0
Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2 Plymouth Parkway 2 (aet)
Sholing 0 Buckland Athletic 3
Clevedon Town 4 Willand Rovers 2 (aet)
Romsey Town 2 Portland United 3
Exmouth Town 3 Tavistock AFC 2
AFC Stoneham 1 Shaftesbury Town 3
Sunday 23rd October
AFC Liverpool 0 Bootle 6
Bridlington Town 0 Pickering Town 1
Wadham Lodge 2 Hertford Town 1
AC London 3 Highworth Town 3 (aet)
Tuesday 25th October
Northampton Sileby Rangers 5 Oxhey Jets 0
Replay
Odd Down 2 Cribbs 1
Wednesday 26th October
Replay
Highworth Town A-A AC London (tie abandoned due to serious injury to player, AC London led 0-1)
Saturday 29th October
Replay
Plymouth Parkway 0 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3
Wednesday 2nd November
Replay
Highworth Town 2 AC London 1
So that just left 128 sides left in the competition which included the sides exempt to the Second Round meaning all sides competing in this season's Vase have now entered the competition, including last season's winners Morpeth Town, more on their tie later.
Anyway three weekend's later saw the Second Round Proper ties take place and I should of been at Peterborough Sports Vs Biggleswade however, circumstances meant I could not attend this game but courtesy of http://www.peterboroughsports.com/ here is a report of what happened in that tie:-
Peterborough Sports 5 Biggleswade 3, Buildbase FA Vase Second Round Proper, Saturday 12th November 2016
Sports progressed into the last 64 of the FA Vase, but only after being given one hell of a run for their money by a highly gifted Biggleswade FC. The preview of the game in the local paper had focussed on how far Sports could go in the competition and dismissed the opponents somewhat. This had ignored the fact that the reason they were at Step 6 was that this is their first season, and with just 2 league defeats they had started quite nicely. They played football as well as any side to come to PSL, with their short passing game a joy to watch and exposed the foolish folly of under estimating them.
Indeed the game was arguably the best seen at Sports since the club joined the UCL 4 and a bit years ago and superb entertainment for the official crowd of 121 that braved the elements on yet another stinking day of weather, and which seemed to swell considerably in the 2nd half as people from other local games joined the crowd to add a cracking atmosphere to proceedings.
The only game that comes close would be the FA Vase game against Peterborough Northern Star at the same stage 2 years ago. That Friday night also featured wet weather and a 4-3 defeat for the Turbines, with the winner a 30 yard volley from a certain Jordan Macleod during his season long stint at our neighbours.
Man of the match Macleod was on one of his going days today and played a pivotal role in this success too. On 10 minutes he intercepted a ball intended for the visitor’s full back and cut in before firing low past the keeper from a tight angle. Mark Jones had already missed a great chance to open the scoring on 2 minutes when intercepting an attempted ball out of defence himself, and whilst an admirable approach, it had cost Biggleswade dear. To their credit they became more pragmatic as the game progressed, without compromising their principles.
They were very much a force for an hour or so of the contest and equalized on 18 minutes when George Bailey converted a Tom Cookman flick. Bailey advanced from his midfield berth throughout the contest exploiting the visitor’s man advantage in the engine room. To his credit, manager Jimmy Dean had decided that given Sports attacking options it made sense to play to his sides’ strengths and go toe-to-toe with their young opponents rather than adapt the formation to counter this and it made for exciting fare.
The home side took the lead again on 22 minutes, when after a fine move down the left, a Mark Jones cross was volleyed home by Macleod on the corner of the 6 yard box. Sports probably thought that they were home & hosed on 38 minutes when a Vieira cross from the right to the far post was always going to be a struggle for the keeper to get to and he succeeded only in dropping the ball at the feet of Mark Jones who prodded home from all of a yard.
Undeterred, the visitors had other ideas. Sports looked to play offside a couple of minutes before the break and not for the first or last time, the communication in the Turbine defence was non-existent and it allowed George Reilly a run at goal. Lewis Moat saved his shot but the ball ran kindly for Bailey to turn home his 2nd of the contest. Both sides were clapped off at the break (and again at the end) after a pulsating 45 minutes of football.
Half Time Peterborough Sports 3 Biggleswade 2
The first half had been fairly even, but at the start of the 2nd, the Turbines began to exert some control & pressure. The hosts had a number of glorious opportunities from a steady stream of corners that they didn’t convert. Richard Jones saw a header cleared off the line on 47 minutes, Vieira hit the bar with another header and Stuart Eason somehow managed to head wide from 2 yards in the middle of the goal. A Sports break away ended with a square pass from Macleod to Vieira who shot 1st time from the penalty spot only to see his effort saved and moments later a Mark Jones header from a Vieira cross was spectacularly tipped over.
With Sports failing to regain their 2 goal advantage, naturally Biggleswade went down the other ended and fashioned an equalizer that will give the Sports defence sleepless nights. Richard Jones conceded a needless free kick 30 yards out, and the ball that came in found a visiting player in at least 5 yards of space with a free header back across goal where anyone of 3 Biggleswade players could have bundled the ball over the line with the entire Sports team stood perfectly still – it was Lee Northfield that applied the finishing touch and when Moat was forced to tip over a free kick a couple of minutes later it seemed like the momentum had swung away from Sports.
To the home sides credit, the attacking side of their play had been functioning well from the get go, and they dusted themselves down before going again in the last 20 minutes. Their resurgence was due in no small part to the influence of the strong Sports bench with Eason, Dave Cobb & Dan Clements all entering the fray and contributing in a material and influential manner.
The goal that put the Turbines back in front on 76 minutes was a goal of rare beauty from Dave Cobb. When his corner was headed back out to him, he cut back inside the full back before unleashing a curling and unstoppable effort from the corner of the box beyond a keeper that did not even move such was the accuracy of the shot and sparked wild celebrations on and off the pitch.
The hosts saw the game out in relative comfort from here and put a finishing gloss on the score in the 1st minute of injury time when Dan Clements fired home with his left foot from the edge of the box.
Only the poor old pitch will not have enjoyed this tie, and Sports ended up grateful to be in the hat on Monday, whilst Biggleswade’s stay at Step 6 will surely only be a temporary one.
Full Time Peterborough Sports 5 Biggleswade 3 (some pictures courtesy of Peterborough Sports below)
So another barnstomer of a contest was had it seems, and favourites Peterborough Sports eventually saw off a talented Biggleswade outfit to progress through to Round Three where they faced a trip to either Cockfosters or Wembley. The two were due to meet on Saturday 12th November but a waterlogged pitch put paid to that, soooo, it was moved to the Tuesday.
I took the oportunity to go and watch it first hand, making my first trip to the end of the Piccadilly Line and Chalk Lane, Cockfosters FC. Here is how that game went:-
Cockfosters 1 Wembley 2, Buildbase FA Vase Second Round Proper Tie, Tuesday 15th November 2016
Tuesday night and some FA Vase Second Round Proper action as I made my first visit to Chalk Lane, Cockfosters, as hosts Cockfosters took on Wembley.
Both sides play in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division and sit third and fourth respectively so a good contest was expected.
The match should of taken place on Saturday but due to an unplayable surface at the weekend the match was postponed until this evening. The winners would host Peterborough Sports in the next round of my Vase trail so a tough opponent awaited these two.
However these two would find each other a tough nut to crack no doubt and so it proved. The first effort came after five minutes from the hosts but it was an easy save down to the keepers right before the home side volleyed a cross well over two minutes later as the game had started at a good tempo.
The visitors first opening came on nine minutes when a good ball found the visitors in but a great last ditch challenge thwarted the attacker and then five minutes later came a concerning moment for the visitors keeper as his own defender misplaced a back header beyond him but the keeper managed to chase back and grab the ball, then moments later was forced to save from point blank range as the hosts threatened again.
Midway through the half saw an effort from Wembley come when the ball dropped to them on the edge of the box but saw a decent effort well held by keeper before moments later only a great save from hosts keeper Byfield denied a terrific curling effort which was headed for the top corner.
Eight minutes before the half time break the hosts went close as firstly a defensive block denied an effort on goal then the keeper saved a second effort at the feet of a striker before a minute later another effort from the hosts was saved as they begin to crank up the pressure.
A minute before the break a Wembley corner caused some concern but ended up drifting away for a goal kick and soon after the whistle went for half time and although the hosts were edging the contest the game was finely balanced at the break.
Half Time Cockfosters 0 Wembley 0
Whatever was said to Wembley in the changing rooms at half time woke them up as they began the second half much the better side and seven minutes into it saw a good move end with a weak left footed effort at keeper Byfield.
Moments later and the hosts almost gave the visitors the lead in calamitous fashion as a misunderstanding between defender and keeper almost allowed the visitors to walk into an empty net but the hosts just about recovered the situation, before minutes later the visitors saw a free kick come off the bar as they looked to turn the screw.
Just before the hour mark a good break from the hosts saw a defensive block inside the six yard area deny them however in the 65th minute came the opening goal which went the way of the hosts as the visitors failed to clear the ball into the box and saw the loose ball rammed into the roof of the net by Ben Hart.
But this lead lasted only three minutes as Wembley levelled as Joe Wright netted a rebound after keeper Byfield had saved an initial effort from the visitors, meaning the tie was right back in the melting pot again.
And on 79 minutes came a great chance for the visitors to take the lead when they got in on goal but the effort was dragged wide of the far post and then a minute later came the hosts chance as they broke clear but saw their effort tipped inches wide of the far post.
But the winner was to arrive for one of these sides and with seven minutes left saw the visitors smash home a loose ball inside the box via Byfields hands and give the visitors a passage into Round Three and a home tie with Peterborough Sports on December 3rd.
Full Time Cockfosters 1 Wembley 2 (some pictures below)
So a fairly tight affair went the way of the visitors and so it's an early trip to Wembley for me, North Wembley to be exact, to see the hosts take on the might of Peterborough Sports in what should be another superb cup tie on December 3rd.
Right did I mention Morpeth Town earlier? Well the current holders entered the Vase on Saturday 12th November and courtesy of the FA.com here is how they fared in their first Vase outing since that wonderul day on May 22nd at Wembley Stadium:-
Hallam 0 Morpeth Town 4
A Steven Anderson-inspired Morpeth Town eased their way into The Buildbase FA Vase third round with a 4-0 win over Hallam. The defending champions, making their debut in this year’s competition, played out a goalless first 45 minutes at Sandygate, but Matthew Grieve put the visitors ahead early in the second period, before Anderson struck a two-minute brace and Liam Henderson grabbed the fourth to give Morpeth a comfortable win.
So the holders are through after a terrific second half showing at Sandygate. Here now is a full round up of the results for the Second Round Proper:-
Saturday 12th November
Newton Aycliffe 4 Worksop Town 0
Pickering Town 0 Shildon 5
Padiham 0 Bootle 2
1874 Northwich 0 Atherton Colleries 3
Charnock Richard P-P Staveley MW
Billingham Town 5 Sunderland Ryhope CW 2
Hallam 0 Morpeth Town 4
Hall Road Rangers 0 Bottesford Town 2
Sunderland RCA 1 Stockton Town 0 (aet)
North Shields 2 Chester-Le-Street Town 0
Dunston UTS P-P Hemsworth MW
Newcastle Benfield 0 Penrith 1
South Shields 2 Marske United 0
AFC Emley 1 Cleethorpes Town 2
Sleaford Town P-P Leicester Nirvana
Long Eaton United 3 Holbeach United 2
Wolverhampton Casuals 1 Nuneaton Griff 2
Hucknall Town 5 Rocester 1
Bildworth Welfare 1 AFC Mansfield 2
Westfields 3 Sherwood Colliery 2
Alvechurch 1 Sporting Khalsa 2
Radford 1 Shepshed Dynamo 3
Uttoxeter Town 1 Coleshill Town 3
Quorn 3 AFC Wulfrunians 1 (aet)
Wadham Lodge 0 Ely City 3
Rothwell Corinthians P-P Tring Athletic
Leverstock Green 1 Welwyn Garden City 2
St Margaretsbury 4 Stanway Rovers 2 (aet)
Newport Pagnell Town 2 Broadfields United 1
Berkhamsted 5 Hullbridge Sports 2
Gorleston 2 Northampton Sileby Rangers 1
Cockfosters P-P Wembley
Peterborough Sports 5 Biggleswade 3
London Colney 3 Holmer Green 0
Biggleswade United 1 Sun Sports 1 (aet)
FC Romania P-P Ipswich Wanderers
Hoddesdon Town 2 Thetford Town 0
Basildon United 3 Felixstowe & Walton United 2
Eastbourne Town 2 Ashford United 1
Newhaven 2 Ascot United 1
Bedfont Sports 2 Haywards Heath Town 0
Eastbourne United 0 Crowborough Athletic 1
Walton & Hersham P-P Glebe
Camberley Town 0 Southall 4
Croydon 2 Andover Town 1
Corinthian 3 Alresford Town 2
Lancing 1 Horsham YMCA 7
Chichester City P-P Canterbury City
Highworth Town 1 Knaphill 3
Portland United 1 Blackfield & Langley 2
Shaftesbury Town 1 Team Solent 3
Brimscombe & Thrupp 2 Bradford Town 2 (aet)
Bristol Manor Farm 2 Odd Down 1
Moneyfields 0 Thatcham Town 4
Cullompton Rangers 1 Bemerton Heath Harlequins 1
Hartley Wintney P-P Melksham Town
Gillingham Town 0 Exmouth Town 1
Buckland Athletic 1 Newport (IW) 0
Torpoint Athletic 1 Clevedon Town 0
Tuffley 0 Bodmin Town 2
Sunday 13th November
Paget Rangers 1 Hinckley AFC 4
Bromsgrove Sporting 3 Lichfield City 1
Sutton Common Rovers 2 Sporting Club Thamesmead 1
Epsom & Ewell 2 Abbey Rangers 3
Tuesday 15th November
Hartley Wintney 1 Melksham Town 2
Dunston UTS P-P Hemsworth MW
Cockfosters 1 Wembley 2
Walton & Hersham 2 Glebe 2 (aet; Glebe won 3-1 on penalties)
Charnock Richard 2 Staveley 4 (aet)
Replays
Sun Sports 1 Biggleswade United 1 (aet; Sun Sports won 5-4 on penalties)
Bemerton Heath Harlequins 3 Cullompton Rangers 2
Wednesday 16th November
Sleaford 4 Leicester Nirvana 1
Rothwell Corinthians 1 Tring Athletic 2
FC Romania 2 Ipswich Wanderers 0
Chichester City 3 Canterbury City 1 (aet)
Replay
Bradford Town 5 Brimscombe & Thrupp 0
Tuesday 22nd November
Dunston UTS P-P Hemsworth MW
Tuesday 29th November
Dunston UTS 3 Hemsworth MW 1
And so onto the first weekend of December and the Third Round Proper. I was due to attend the tie between Wembley and Peterborough Sports at Vale Farm but due to my ill heath I had to miss the tie. So yet again here is a report courtesy of the victors, Peterborough Sports:-
Wembley 0 Peterborough Sports 4, Buildbase FA Vase Third Round Proper Tie, Saturday 3rd December 2016
Sports eased their way into the last 32 of the FA Vase and the 4th and final geographical round in most emphatic style at Wembley.
With the Wembley arch glistening in the sunlight a short distance away, the Turbines were suitably inspired at a ground that was top notch for the level of football the hosts play at and with a playing surface as good as anything Sports have encountered.
Josh Sanders returned to the Sports line up at the back and the city side hit Wembley with a trademark quickfire opening exposing that the hosts had clearly not done their homework on the visitor’s strengths. Only 3 minutes were on the clock when a Jordan Macleod cross was headed onto the far post by Avelino Vieira where Josh Moreman drilled home back across the keeper.
In the first 35 minutes of the game, Sports settled the contest with an impressive all round show, but it was Moreman that was the major difference and his performance will rank with the best ever seen from this viewpoint. He almost repeated the first goal with another drive on 7 minutes and then shortly after again when beating his man and seeing his pull back screwed wide by Avelino Vieira.
An identical situation on 27 minutes saw Sports make it 2-0 as Moreman once again accelerated past a couple of defenders and Vieira this time turned the cross into the net before a celebration with the Turbinators behind the goal with the visiting fans comfortably outnumbering the home support in the ground.
With 32 minutes on the clock it was 3-0 after a wonderful sweeping move down the right. Vieira fed Mark Jones who crossed low for Moreman to steady himself before planting past the keeper. Moreman should have returned the compliment a couple of minutes later but instead chose to shoot and saw his effort saved.
Moreman’s marker suffered the ignominy of being substituted before half time for a desperately disappointing home side, whose only effort of note in the contest came from an effort from their leading scorer Joe Wright that flew wide halfway through the first half.
It was more of the same after the break, though Sports failed to find the finishing touch to their numerous opportunities. The 4th goal arrived on 55 minutes as Mark Jones, who led the line quite magnificently, got to a through ball at the same time as the keeper but his strength saw him win the ball and steady himself before lifting into an empty net from 20 yards.
The central midfield pairing of Lewis Webb & Dan Lawlor were both outstanding throughout and set up a procession of chances for Sports in the 2nd half. The defence were solid and dealt with the free scoring Wembley threat with a degree of comfort. It truly was a very special performance. (some pictures below courtesy of Peterborough Sports)
So Sports defeat a very very decent side in Wembley and must be considered one of the favourites for the competition although many decent sides stand in their way. Here is a round up of the results for Round Three:-
Saturday 3rd December
North Shields 1 Shildon 2
Newton Aycliffe 2 Morpeth Town 3
Cleethorpes Town 2 Bootle 1
South Shields 3 Staveley MW 0
Penrith 0 Atherton Colleries 3
Dunston UTS 1 Sunderland RCA 3
Bottesford Town 1 Billingham Town 2
Hucknall Town 1 AFC Mansfield 2
Nuneaton Griff 0 Bromsgrove Sporting 2
Sporting Khalsa 5 Sleaford Town 5 (aet)
Coleshill Town 4 Westfields 1
Hinckley AFC 2 Quorn 1 (aet)
Long Eaton United 2 Shepshed Dynamo 4 (aet)
Wembley 0 Peterborough Sports 4
FC Romania 1 Tring Athletic 1 (aet)
Newport Pagnell Town 3 London Colney 1
Gorleston A - A Basildon United (tie abandoned after 89 mins due to serious incident, 0-1 - tie eventually awarded to Gorleston after Basildon United forfeited tie)
St Margaretsbury 1 Berkhamsted 3
Sun Sports 3 Hoddesdon Town 1
Welwyn Garden City 2 Ely City 3
Abbey Rangers 1 Eastbourne Town 2
Crowborough Athletic 2 Bedfont Sports 2 (aet)
Croydon 3 Glebe 2
Knaphill 1 Southall 2
Newhaven 1 Chichester City 3
Horsham YMCA 0 Buckland Athletic 3
Bemerton Heath Harlequins 2 Melksham Town 3
Team Solent 1 Bodmin Town 0
Bradford Town 2 Torpoint Athletic 0
Bristol Manor Farm 4 Thatcham Town 1
Exmouth Town 5 Blackfield & Langley 0
Sunday 4th December
Sutton Common Rovers 1 Corinthian 4
Tuesday 6th December
Replay
Tring Athletic 2 FC Romania 1
Wednesday 7th December
Replays
Sleaford Town 0 Sporting Khalsa 3
Bedfont Sports 2 Crowborough Athletic 3
Here is some more news on that Gorleston v Basildon United tie, which was abandoned:-
The Vase tie at Emeralds Park was abandoned with a few minutes remaining after a Gorleston spectator, rumored to be the father of hosts keeper Tauren Molloy's partner, collapsed and died after the Bees had scored in the 87th minute. Before the tragic circumstances materialised the tie was well balanced although the visitors were then reduced to ten men after Whitby was shown a second yellow for bringing down a Gorleston player just outside the box. However the ten men managed to net what they thought could be the winning goal when completely out of the blue from a corner the ball broke to Dewberry outside the box and he struck an effort which took a deflection and flew in. It quickly became apparant a minute or two later though that the formentioned spectator had collapsed although the game continued into stoppage time until it was suspended whilst the staff present at the ground tried in vain to save the man' s life, but sadly despite resuscitating him three times he died soon after the emergency services arrived. A truly sad and tragic way for the day to end and unsurprisingly the match was abandoned. Everyone's thoughts are with the friends and family of the deceased man and the club on such a tragic day in Norfolk.
Consquently the FA decided the game should be replayed the following Saturday but the visitors decided to forfeit the tie meaning Gorleston take their place in Round Four. A rather sad end to the Bees FA Vase campaign it had to be said.
Anyway here is the Fourth Round draw as the competition goes nationwide with just 32 sides left battling for a place at Wembley in May:-
Saturday 7th January
Shildon Vs Atherton Collieries
Billingham Town Vs Cleethorpes Town
AFC Mansfield Vs Sunderland RCA
South Shields Vs Morpeth Town
Gorleston Vs Coleshill Town
Sun Sports Vs Bromsgrove Sporting
Newport Pagnell Town Vs Peterborough Sports
Sporting Khalsa Vs Tring Athletic
Ely City Vs Shepshed Dynamo
Hinckley AFC Vs Berkhamsted
Bradford Town Vs Southall
Bristol Manor Farm Vs Melksham Town
Chichester City Vs Buckland Athletic
Team Solent Vs Croydon
Exmouth Town Vs Corinthian
Crowborough Athletic Vs Eastbourne Town
So my Vase trail takes me to next Saturday's Newport Pagnell Town v Peterborough Sports in the Fourth Round although yet again I will be unable to make the tie as I will be in Norway for new year!!!! This years trail is in tatters but nonetheless I endevour to blog about it anyway!!! Hope you have enjoyed reading my latest ramblings and I will be back with more soon.
