The sides had similar records in their respective divisions and were around the mid table region however its well documented how strong the Northern League is so this probably made the visitors favourties for the tie. However as I said in my last blog this is cup football so anything is possible. Anyway without further ado here is a report of the match:-
Newport Pagnell Town 3 Sunderland RCA 2 (aet), Buildbase FA Vase Fifth Round Proper, Saturday 28th January 2016
So finally after missing three rounds of the FA Vase I managed to rejoin my trail and I found myself at Willen Road, home of Newport Pagnell Town, and they were hosting Sunderland RCA from the North East in a Fifth Round tie.
The hosts are mid table in the United Counties Premier whilst the visitors have a similar record in their respective division, the Northern League Division One, considered to be the toughest Step Five division in the country.
This meant the hosts were probably considered underdogs again but had showed in the previous round they could cause an upset so the visitors would have to put in a decent shift if they were wanting to progress.
A record Willen Road crowd of 764 welcomed the teams out and the majority of them were hoping their side could make history and reach the Quarter Final stage of the competition. However it was the visitors from the North East who began the tie on the front foot and had the better of the early exchanges and saw their best chance, a close range volley, creep inches wide.
The hosts were struggling to get a foothold in the contest and midway through the half the away side got their deserved lead when Colin Larkin saw his effort deflect beyond the keeper and into the far corner, cuing wild celebrations amongst the visiting players and bench. It had certainly been a dominant opening period for the Northern League outfit.
They continued that domination throughout the majority of the half as the home side could not get going and it seemed the occasion might have been getting the better of them, and six minutes before the break it got worse for the hosts when Sunderland RCA doubled their lead in terrific style as Steve Callen cut inside and bent a wonderful effort into the far corner and the visitors were in cruise control.
The hosts did end the half on the front foot and saw two decent openings go off target but it was a fairly comfortable afternoon for the visitors thus far and Newport Pagnell knew that they would need to improve massively if they were to stay in this years Vase.
Half Time Newport Pagnell Town 0 Sunderland RCA 2
The opening exchanges of the second period did see a half chance for the hosts but the visitors really should of been out of sight as they missed three guilt edged chances to arguably put the tie to bed as at 0-3 there would of probably been no way back for the home side. However at 0-2 the North East side still looked ok and were keeping their opponents at arms length.
The hosts were at least getting a lot more stuck in in this period and were not being as outplayed as they were in the first half. However they knew they needed to find a goal from somewhere to get themselves back in the tie. And with the match heading towards the final twenty minutes time was against them.
But then with twenty minutes to go a loose ball inside the area was lashed home by Daryl Smith and just like that the tie seemed to change it’s whole complexion. For the first time in the tie the visitors were looking rather ragged and it was now the home side who were on top and searching for what looked a rather unlikely leveller twenty or so minutes earlier.
The Northern visitors were now being pegged back although they were defending well and getting bodies behind the ball to block any efforts from the hosts who were desperately trying to force an equaliser. The home side saw a goal ruled out for offside, which was borderline, and then with five or so minutes to go struck a close range volley straight at the keeper in what was a golden chance.
The fourth official then signalled for six minutes of stoppage time and you felt the hosts may get one last shot at forcing extra time. However Sunderland RCA continued to repel anything thrown at them and you felt that maybe they would hold on for a hard fought win in the end.
However in the 96th minute one last hurrah into the mixer saw Adam Pryke get his head to the ball ahead of the keeper’s hands and glance the ball into the far corner and cue mass celebrations amongst the home contingent. The visitors sunk to their knees in despair and at that moment you thought the home side would go on and win this tie in the extra half hour. What drama!!!
Full Time Newport Pagnell Town 2 Sunderland RCA 2
And so to extra time and the hosts saw Dom Lawless miss a great chance to put his side ahead early in the first period but in the 99th minute he made amends, outpacing a defender and slotting home to send the home crowd wild once again.
It was now the visitors turn to try and find a leveller but the hosts were making it very difficult for them. Newport twice threatened to breakaway and seal the tie but poor decision making meant these openings vanished and as the tie reached the last few minutes the tension was palpable.
Sunderland almost pinched a 123rd minute equaliser when a ball into the area caused utter panic and ended with the ball going across goal and the keeper grabbing it and you could hear the sigh of relief around the ground.
Soon after the referee ended the contest and Newport Pagnell Town became only the second North Bucks side to reach the Last Eight of the Vase. What an achievement and what a comeback which looked highly unlikely at half time. Football eh!!!!! What a thoroughly enjoyable cup tie though so thank you to both teams for that.
Full Time (aet) Newport Pagnell Town 3 Sunderland RCA 2
Here are some photos of the day:-
So a remarkable comeback from the hosts sees them through to the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase. They are making a habit of producing late comebacks after doing it in the last round as well although this one was extra special. The visitors were in total control after an hour and should of been out of sight but once Newport Pagnell got one back, the tie totally changed and the North East side lost their way. A terrific cup tie and the perfect example that its never over till its over!!!
Here are the Fifth Round Proper results in full:-
Saturday 28th January
Cleethorpes Town 3 Atherton Colleries 2
Bromsgrove Sporting 2 Bristol Manor Farm 1
Crowborough Athletic 3 Coleshill Town 6 (AET)
Hinckley AFC 3 Buckland Athletic 4 (AET)
Newport Pagnell Town 3 Sunderland RCA 2 (AET)
Ely City 0 Sporting Khalsa 3
Team Solent 2 South Shields 5
Sunday 29th January
Southall 4 Exmouth Town 2
So that concludes Round Five of the FA Vase. Joining Newport Pagnell Town in the Last Eight would be Cleethorpes Town, Bromsgrove Sporting, Coleshill Town, Buckland Athletic, Sporting Khalsa and finally tournament favourites South Shields, the only Northern League side left in the competition, which is very unusual it has to be said.
Anyway here is the draw for the Last Eight of the competition:-
Saturday 18th February
South Shields Vs Newport Pagnell Town
Southall Vs Cleethorpes Town
Coleshill Town Vs Sporting Khalsa
Sunday 19th February
Bromsgrove Sporting Vs Buckland Athletic
I'll be at the South Shields Vs Newport Pagnell Town tie and with over 2,500 tickets sold for this game it sure has the making of another memorable day in the North East for myself. And with the Bromsgrove Sporting Vs Buckland Athletic tie being a 3,000 sell out and no doubt the other two ties having fairly large crowds, it shows that this tournament continues to capture the imagination of the locals!!! Game on as they say!!
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