Season 2016-17 - Review of the Final

So it was time, Non League Finals Day, and Part One saw the main event in my eyes as the Buildbase FA Vase Final took place between NECL Champions Cleethorpes Town and NLD1 Champions South Shields.  A decent crowd of around 17,000 - 20,000 were present for the Vase finale, with 13,000 of those from Shields, which is a terrific effort.

Shields went into the contest massive favourites among many, including myself, however Cleethorpes Town, who had only existed for 19 years, were not there to make up the numbers so you just never knew as it was a cup final.  Shields were of course aiming to end an already fantastic season with a quadruple whilst Cleethorpes Town were looking to add FA Vase glory to their league title.

Anyway without further ado here is how the match unfolded:-

Cleethorpes Town 0 South Shields 4,  Buildbase FA Vase Final, Sunday 21st May 2017 (at Wembley Stadium)
A clinical South Shields defeated a plucky and battling Cleethorpes Town to end a wonderful season in style and win the FA Vase at Wembley.

The opening quarter hour saw Shields take the game to their opponents and probably felt they should of taken one of their chances they created however Cleethorpes managed to hold on and as they game reached the half hour mark Cleethorpes did have a couple of openings however the Mariners were still looking the more likely to score.

And three minutes before half time they were given a golden chance to take a deserved lead when Gavin Cogdon was brought down inside the box, and Carl Finnigan duly sent the keeper the wrong way to give them the lead.

Cogdon then saw an effort tipped onto the post late in the half as Shields so nearly doubled their lead before half time but they did go into the break good value for their lead, although it was only a one goal lead.

Half Time Cleethorpes Town 0 South Shields 1

Shields continued their dominance in the early exchanges of the second period and saw them see an effort from David Foley tipped onto the bar early in the half as they were again looking more likely to get the next goal.

But while it was only 1-0 Cleethorpes knew one moment could see them back on level terms and they again had their moments but saw the Shields back line deal with whatever came their way.

Shields though continued to pass up several chances, that was until ten minutes from time when a free kick swung in saw Dillon Morse head home at the back post before the Mariners added two more late on, making it three with four minutes left when Foley slotted beyond the keeper after finding himself clean through, and then they made it four with a minute remaining when Foley got his second by thumping a wonderful effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box and seal a terrific win to take the FA Vase.

Full Time Cleethorpes Town 0 South Shields 4

Here are some photos from the day:-

And here are some video highlights of the goals courtesy of South Shields:-

So South Shields take the FA Vase honours for this season, capping what has been an amazing campaign for the now Evo-Stik North outfit following their promotion from the Northern League.  It does mean Shields will not be able to defend their FA Vase win next season as they will compete in the Trophy instead as they are now in Step Four.  A shame for them in one sense but they are a side on the up that's for sure.

For runners up Cleethorpes Town it was a difficult day ultimately and although they had their moments in this final, they were always second best on the day to a wonderful Shields outfit.  However they can take heart from even reaching the final and of course romping to the NECL title and gaining promotion to the Evo-Stik South for next season will no doubt soften the pain of defeat here.  They will also now compete in the FA Trophy next season too, meaning both finalists will be absent from next seasons competition.

So that is that for this seasons Vase trail.  The next one will begin in early September next season, with the draw being made in early July.  Roll on next season!!!