Season 2017-18 - Semi-Finals

Saturday 17^th March – First Leg

Thatcham Town 1 1874 Northwich 0

Ross Cook's early penalty saw the hosts win this first leg tie against 1874 Northwich and take a slender lead up to Cheshire for the second leg next weekend.

Both teams were welcomed onto the field by a good crowd of 1,134, with a few hundred noisy visiting fans making up that figure, as they and the players endured snowy freezing conditions at Waterside Park.

And Thatcham took the game to their opponents early on and were awarded a fourth minute penalty after a clear foul inside the box, and Cook stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and the Berkshire hosts had the perfect start to this one.

The home side continued to have the better of the opening exchanges and saw a couple of efforts go straight at the keeper, and it took the visitors the best part of fifteen minutes to register their first attempt at goal, forcing a decent save from the hosts keeper.

In the 21st minute the visitors were screaming for a spot kick of their own after they claimed a foul inside the box, however the referee waived their claims away, although from my angle it looked like a foul.

The visitors by now were having a decent spell and putting plenty of pressure on the home side, but they couldn't find a way past a solid Thatcham back line.

And after a ten minute spell from the visitors, the hosts almost doubled their lead in the 34th minute but saw a decent curling effort tipped wide by the keeper.

A couple of minutes after that a defensive mistake from the hosts almost saw Northwich level in comical circumstances, when a clearence struck a defender and almost went in, before two minutes after that the Northwich keeper had to make a brilliant save to deny the hosts again.

The hosts then saw another effort go straight at the keeper before Northwich had a great chance to level three minutes before the break when they found themselves in on goal, but saw the keeper save with his legs and thwart them.

The hosts then missed a golden chance right on half time, seeing the keeper save with his legs and the ball shoot across goal agonisingly just ahead of players coming in for a tap in. It did mean the hosts went into the break a goal ahead.

Half Time Thatcham Town 1 1874 Northwich 0

The hosts started the second period much like the first, on the front foot, but they were unable to take advantage of this pressure put on the Northwich goal.

In fact the visitors hardly threatened the Thatcham net until midway through the half, although it was a decent opening which saw the keeper make a pretty good stop to keep the hosts in front.

The second half in general though was fairly quiet and and scrappy, with not alot of quality on show, although with what was on the line, this wasn't entirely surprising. The conditions were not helping much either, with the occasional blizzard making things interesting to say the least.

With several minutes remaining the visitors started the put some pressure on the Thatcham backline and did see a free header loop wide of the target, however they didn't really test the keeper and after that Thatcham saw out the remainder of the contest to take the victory.

Not the best of games to be honest, but it's a one goal lead for Thatcham to take up to Cheshire next weekend, with the tie far from over. Should be another tightly fought contest no doubt.

Full Time Thatcham Town 1 1874 Northwich 0

Here are some photos of the day:-

Right up in the North East Marske United and Stockton Town, two sides separated by just 17 miles, went head to head in the other semi final first leg, although due to problems with the Marske United pitch both ties would take place at on Stockton’s 3G surface, so here is how the first leg panned out:-

Marske United 0 Stockton Town 2

Stockton netted two first half goals to take a two goal lead into the second leg next weekend as they stunned tournament favourites Marske United.  Stockton got themselves in front after just 11 minutes as a Kevin Hayes free-kick was nodded home by Jamie Owens. The Seasiders looked for an instant impact and almost had their reward as Craig Gott’s free-kick was superbly saved by goalkeeper Michael Arthur. Marske continued to bang on the door as a long range effort by Chay Liddle was well saved by Arthur yet again before they then hit the woodwork. But Stockton then hit their opponents with a sucker punch to double their lead three minutes before the break as Fred Woodhouse turned home from close range. Despite the best efforts of Marske in the second half including a golden opportunity for Gott who sliced wide late on, Stockton held out to seal a crucial 2-0 away victory.

So Thatcham Town and Stockton Town hold the first leg advantages, Thatcham taking a one goal lead up to Cheshire whilst Stockton carry a two goal cushion into the second game at Bishopton Road West.  No doubt 1874 Northwich and current tournament favourites Marske United would of fancied to overturn those first leg deficits so it proved to be an exciting second leg weekend. 

Right here is how my featured tie fared in the second leg up in Cheshire:-

1874 Northwich 2 Thatcham Town 3 (Thatcham Town won 4-2 on aggregate)

Two Gavin James strikes in the opening half hour helped Thatcham Town to victory in their second leg tie at Wincham Park against 1874 Northwich to complete an aggregate victory and take their place in Wembley’s finale in May.

The tie sat in the balance after Thatcham’s narrow first leg victory, although the Berkshire side felt they could have had a bigger lead, however it meant an early goal for either side would be all important to see where this tie would end up.

After a delayed kick off due to the amount of fans trying to get into the ground, Thatcham wasted little time in extending that aggregate lead as, just like the first leg, took an early lead and this time in was in just the second minute as James slotted home inside the area after Cooper-Clark had delivered a free-kick into the area.  It was the perfect start for the visitors.

Northwich earned a corner soon after but this was cleared and the opening ten minutes saw the visitors frustrate their opponents, blocking passing options although apart from the early goal, neither side created anything clear cut.

But that all changed midway through the half when Thatcham were in dreamland, adding a second on the day and going three clear on aggregate, when James got his second after a goalmouth scramble following a Melledew corner, and the hosts now had a mountain to climb.

The visitors were now in total control and full of confidence and saw Ekow Elliott go close with a right footed curler from a James knockdown, and then from another attack Moran headed a Melledew free-kick wide, and then James was just about thwarted when attempting to round the keeper, before Melledew struck an effort wide from distance.

You felt if Thatcham added another, the tie would be over, so it was imperative that Northwich grabbed the next goal.  As the half entered its latter stages 1874 began to have a spell of pressure on the visitors, although the visitors were still dangerous in attack and saw Elliott thread a through ball to James but his effort went wide.

Northwich then went close to grabbing that all important goal but saw a fine save from Rackley and then heroic defending from Angell and Elliott, however just before the break 1874 were given a lifeline after Elliott was adjudged to have fouled inside the box, and McGowan stepped up to convert and this tie suddenly took on a different look.

1874 then forced a number of corners in first half stoppage time as they tried to level the tie on the day and get to just one behind on aggregate, however the visitors managed to weather the storm of corners and get to the break ahead on the day and two ahead on aggregate.

Half Time 1874 Northwich 1 Thatcham Town 2

1874 knew if they could grab a quick goal this tie was right back in the balance once again, and initially they began the second period how the ended the first, but in the 48^th minute Thatcham totally knocked the wind out of their sails by adding a third on the day when Cooper-Clark smashed home from the edge of the area, and it meant the Berkshire side had a three goal aggregate lead once again.

The hosts again had a mountain to climb but did force a point blank save from Rackley before Miller coolly took a touch before clearing any danger, and then the hosts broke at pace and saw Rackley come out to snuff any danger of a second for the hosts.

Northwich continued to try and grab that second goal to reduce the lead and saw McGowan wriggle into the box but saw Jarra made an important interception to thwart the danger, but with just over twenty minutes remaining 1874 did find a second goal to reduce the aggregate lead to two when Woolley, who was immediately subbed afterwards much to his bemusement, headed home a corner and the hosts had around twenty minutes to find two goals to force extra time.

However despite Rackley having to make a comfortable save from outside the box and the visitors having to withstand some late Northwich pressure, they saw out the remainder of the contest to book their place in May’s final.  Cue celebrations amongst the visiting players, fans and management, their off to Wembley!!!

Commiserations to 1874 Northwich though, who did well to get this far, and they now have promotion to go for now in their own league, so all the best to them for that.  Today though belongs to Thatcham Town, well done!!!

Full Time 1874 Northwich 2 Thatcham Town 3 (Thatcham Town won 4-2 on aggregate)

Here are some photos of the second leg, courtesy of Alex Latham (@bigalex1984):-

So who would take on Thatcham Town in the final, well lets see what happened in the other tie up in the North East:-

Stockton Town 1 Marske United 2 (Stockton Town won 3-2 on aggregate)

After a crucial 2-0 victory in the first leg, Stockton knew their rivals Marske would come out and attack from the word go at Bishopton Road West.  And the visitors made the perfect start after just eight minutes when forward Liam O’Sullivan did superbly to bring the ball down and slot home inside the penalty box. O’Sullivan was causing all sorts of problems, not only with his forward play but his long throws into the box as Micky Arthur denied Danny Early from close range. Stockton restored their two-goal advantage in the tie from the penalty spot as Nathan Mulligan fired into the net after 41 minutes after a foul on Kevin Hayes. Marske needed two goals in the second half and after 55 minutes were back in the contest as a fine break was rounded off by James Fairley. The visitors would’ve had their crucial third goal but for a sensational one-handed save from Arthur to deny Curtis Round. And the Anchors held on to secure their spot in the final and a maiden trip to the home of football.

So after two dramatic semi final ties, there were just two remaining, and its Stockton Town Vs Thatcham Town, Northern League Division One Vs Hellenic Premier, at Wembley in the FA Vase final on Non League Finals Day, Sunday 20^th May.  Stockton may go into this one as favourites only due to the fact the Northern League sides have dominated in the Vase over the past decade or so, however Thatcham are a more than decent side and will be more than capable of winning this competition.  Make sure you check out my blog after finals day to see a report and photos from the game, it proves to be a decent one!!!

Season 2017-18 - Quarter-Finals

Saturday 24th February
Melksham Town 0 Thatcham Town 1
Ekow Elliott netted a late winner for Thatcham Town as they edged their Buildbase FA Vase Quarter Final derby against Melksham Town at Oakfields to progress into the Last Four of the competition.

The hosts came into this one maybe slightly undercooked after only playing one match since the end of January, however the one game they did play this month was a 4-1 win over Longwell Green Sports at Oakfields.

The visitors on the other hand were on a twenty game winning streak until they drew with fellow Vase Quarter Finalists Windsor last weekend, however they did win in midweek to maybe start another winning run.  I’m sure Melksham had other ideas mind.

And if the enormity of a two legged semi final tie for the winner wasn’t enough, the fact these sides are only around 40 miles apart certainly added up to create the ingredients for a classic cup tie.  And with a record Oakfields crowd of 2,208 crammed into the ground, it certainly got the juices flowing.

The opening ten minutes saw a couple of sighters for the home side, firstly when the visiting keeper decided to come for a ball, make a mess of it, but thankfully for his sake see the ball fired miles off target, and then secondly a free kick that was straight at the keeper and caused no issues at all.

And just before the quarter hour mark the visitors had their first effort at goal, although it was well wide from range, as the opening exchanges of this massive cup tie were cagey to say the least.  Not really a surprise given the enormity of it all.

The first real opening didn’t arrive until the 21st minute, and it fell to the visitors, as they were laid in on goal however the keeper managed to save the effort and keep the scoreline at 0-0, before three minutes later up the other end the home side fizzed in a low cross from the right, however the keeper was equal to it and held onto the cross.

Just before the half hour mark a good drive forward from Melksham saw a cross result in a looping header saved under his bar by the keeper, who was under pressure from an opponent, and then three minutes later a decent free kick into the box by Thatcham saw a glancing header go well wide of the target.

And then in the 33rd minute came a great chance for the hosts to edge ahead when they were thwarted by a double save/block by the visitors, and then three minutes later another decent chance for the hosts saw a great ball into the area diverted just wide from inside the six yard box.

Two minutes before the break another brilliant cross from the home side to the back post was headed off target, meaning this tight derby remained goalless at the break, although the hosts had definitely had the better of the openings so far.

Half Time Melksham Town 0 Thatcham Town 0

Two minutes into the second period the hosts won a free kick in a dangerous position, but the effort was straight down the keepers throat, and then four minutes later Melksham almost went in front but saw the keeper save an effort at full stretch down to his left to keep the ball from going in.

On the hour mark the visitors whipped in good cross which the defender left, almost allowing the visitors in, however they couldn’t convert and the ball was eventually cleared from danger, before down the other end the hosts struck wide, bringing ooos and ahhhhs from the locals.

In the 62nd minute the visitors attacked again, and were screaming for a handball after a header had been blocked, and in the 73rd minute Thatcham won a free kick in a decent position, but the effort was deflected a few inches over the bar.

In the 82nd minute the hosts caused concern in the visitors area when the ball bounced around before it looped out but was then volleyed way way off target, before the visitors had a moment of their own in the final third of their opponents, however this came to nothing to, before an effort was whistled over the bar.

You did start to wonder if either side was going to find a winner as extra time looked likely, however just as the clock ticked onto 90 minutes Elliott drove into the box and fired a great effort across the keeper and into the far corner, sparking wild jubilant scenes amongst the Thatcham players/staff and fans who were in attendance.  It certainly looked like being the deciding moment in this tie.

And moments later Thatcham could and should of sealed it when they got through on goal however the keeper came to thwart with his legs and Melksham still had a chance to salvage something from what stoppage time remained.

But after several tense minutes of stoppage time, the visitors held firm and saw it through to book their place in the Semi Finals of the FA Vase.  Gutted for Melksham who gave their all in this tie, a highly competitive derby, however that moment of brilliance from Elliott settled this one.  Congratulations to Thatcham Town, who join Marske United, Stockton Town and 1874 Northwich in the Last Four.

Full Time Melksham Town 0 Thatcham Town 1

Here are some photos from the day:-

Right here is how the other three Quarter Finals panned out:-
Bracknell Town 0 Marske United 3
Northern League side Marske United saw off Bracknell Town at Larges Lane to set up a semi final tie with fellow Northern League side Stockton Town.  The breakthrough came right on half time when Round teed up Butterworth on the edge of the box and the latter drove the ball into the bottom corner, and with twenty minutes remaining the visitors doubled their lead when a great ball by Gott found Round who finished beyond the keeper.  And with two minutes left the visitors sealed their passage into the Final Four when a long ball downfield saw a touch by Round find Earl who skipped past a defender and finished well to cap a marvellous day for the North East side.

Stockton Town 2 Windsor 0
Hosts Stockton Town set up an all Northern League Semi Final tie against Marske United after they saw off Windsor in their Quarter Final tie at Bishopton Road West.   Tom Coulthard broke the deadlock after 28 minutes before a Jamie Owens header four minutes before the break doubled the North East sides lead.  The hosts then saw out the second half without alarm to book their place in the last four of the competition.

Leighton Town 0 1874 Northwich 1
Cheshire side 1874 Northwich booked their place in the Semi Finals after seeing off Leighton Town in Bedfordshire.  The winning moment came in the 25th minute through McGowan and it means they set up a semi final tie against Thatcham Town.

So all four ties were settled at the first time of asking, which certainly helps!!!  Here now is the Semi Final line ups:-
Saturday 17th March
First Legs
Marske United VS Stockton Town (at Stockton Town FC)
Thatcham Town VS 1874 Northwich_

Saturday 24th March
Second Legs
Stockton Town VS Marske United
1874 Northwich_ VS Thatcham Town

Now as you can see the first leg of the Marske United vs Stockton Town tie will be played at Stockton Town's Bishopton Road West ground.  It means both legs will be played their, here is a statement from Marske United as to why:-

"Following heavy rain over the last week and the huge number of postponements across the EBAC Northern League, Marske United FC  are still having issues with the pitch condition and drainage at our ground.

To protect the integrity of the BUILDBASE FA Vase and the EBAC Northern League competitions , and with the full realisation of our current fixture position, we  took the decision to get the first leg of our BUILDBASE FA Vase semi-final versus Stockton Town played on a neutral ground . Having tried grounds in the National League, Northern League and  the NRCFA ground this has proved unsuccessful  due to a combination of ground conditions, pitch unavailability and prior bookings at stadiums in the locality.

We have therefore decided , with the approval of the FA Competitions Manager , the FA Competitions Chairman and the goodwill  of Stockton Town , to play both legs of the semi-final  on the 3G pitch at Stockton Town with the intended end result of getting the games played on their scheduled  dates  so as not to disrupt further the BUILDBASE FA Vase competition or the EBAC Northern League fixture list."

Whether this hands the advantage to Stockton Town as another question although Marske United will still be favourites to progress through to the final I believe.  No doubt it is a disapointment that they cannot host their home leg, however needs must sometimes and well played both clubs for coming to such a quick agreement.

The other semi final, my featured tie, sees Thatcham Town of the Hellenic League, take on 1874 Northwich from the North West Counties League.  Both teams are going well in their respective leagues and will both fancy their chances of a shot of getting to the Wembley finale in May.  I fancy Thatcham to get the job done over the two legs although I reckon it will be tight.  Should be two cracking semi final ties!!!