Petrol estimate £15
Entry £6
Total £21
Showing posts with label FA Vase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FA Vase. Show all posts
Saturday, 2 November 2019
Longridge (02-11-2019)
Longridge 6 - 4 Thornaby (FA Vase 2nd Round), Saturday 2 November 2019
Petrol estimate £15
Entry £6
Total £21
Petrol estimate £15
Entry £6
Total £21
Saturday, 3 November 2018
Garstang (03-11-2018)
Garstang 2 - 6 Sunderland RCA (FA Vase 2nd Round), Saturday 3 November 2018
Petrol £13 estimate
Entry £4
Parking £2-40
Toilet 20p
Total £19-60
Petrol £13 estimate
Entry £4
Parking £2-40
Toilet 20p
Total £19-60
Saturday, 3 October 2015
Eccleshall (03-10-2015)
Eccleshall 0 - 0 Haughmond (FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round), Saturday 3 October 2015
[Haughmond won 4-1 after penalties & AET]
Train (Stockport-Stoke) = £13
Entry = £4
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Bus = £5
Total = £24
Eccy, as it is affectionately known by locals, is one of the trickiest outposts of the NWCFL to reach by public transport. The town is about 7 miles from Stafford, but lies in the 'nether region' not far from the Welsh border, with Market Drayton nearby. I had carefully planned the trip, and arrived at Stoke in time to catch the 12.42 bus. When I asked for a return to 'Eccles-hall', the driver looked confused and said 'Eccle-shall?' in response - clearly the correct pronunciation was one including the 'sh'. For a fiver, I managed to reach the town/village, about an hour's ride from outside Stoke station.
After exploring a couple of streets, and finding a variety of independent shops and bars (including a Belgian bar!) I headed to the ground. As the footpath ran out, I decided to trek through some fields, only to discover that I seemed to be on a cattle path, which headed down to the River Sow (and which seemed to be on private land). I sucked it up, and made it back to the road, using the slim grass verge for a while, and crossing over when I reached Pershall Park.
The chap at the gate-cum-table gave me a friendly welcome, and I parted with £5 for entry and a programme. The ground was what I had expected (in a good way). To the right of the entrance was a blue club-house, with what looked like breeze blocks, and to the left was a covered area with 3 'church hall' chairs. The dug-outs were on the far side opposite the club-house, with a blue roof covering a bench behind the away dug-out.
After the obligatory cup of tea from the intimate club-house, I took up my place behind the far goal. By virtue of my position and the lack of spectators I became a default ball-boy for most of the first half! In a white kit resembling Spurs, Haughmond came here as underdogs. From Shrewsbury, they were plying their trade in the West Midlands Regional League, one of the weaker leagues in the Midlands. They began positively, with 6 forcing a save to the keeper's right early on. Eccleshall looked threatening when they attacked, with a corner flying agonisingly across the face of goal. Their 8 and 9 then both screwed shots wide. I was particularly interested in the away side's formation, as they had clearly set out to stifle their slightly superior opponents - playing with 3 at the back with 8 acting as a kind of sweeper. Haughmond had the best chance of the first half, when 9's overhead kick volley rattled the cross-bar (think Benteke at Old Trafford). The home side were clearly frustrated, and an altercation in midfield resulted in bookings for the home side's 6 and Haughmond's 11. Haughmond's unfortunate 9 then rounded the keeper, only to fire into the side netting.
The away side had been much better in the first half, but the game became more even in the second period. Eccleshall's right-back was booked early on for a nasty late tackle on the Haughmond winger, before the home side's number 8 hit just over with his second touch. Haughmond's excellent 8 then had a rasping shot which the home keeper nearly spilt. The home keeper looked particularly at sea and lacking authority when the ball came in the box. The challenges continued to fly in, and Eccy's 7 was booked for a late tackle on 10, who shortly after fired wide with his left foot. 7's free kick was then saved, which proved to be their best chance of the second half. At the far end (where I had resigned as ball-boy!) Haughmond's 14 then rattled the bar (this time from close range), and then 9 could only snatch a shot wide.
So, like the Ashton-Atherton game, extra time beckoned. Unfortunately this time I had to leave early, as I had to make the 17.14 bus back to Stoke, so could only stay for 5 minutes of it. I felt sure that if this match went off for another 90 minutes, neither team would score. This was confirmed when I checked the result on 'The Cloud' at Stoke station. Haughmond had won 4-1 on penalties, and (based on the 95 minutes I saw) they deserved the victory, particularly for setting out so well tactically. Eccy is a nice ground worth a visit, but go in a car - it's a nightmare to reach by bus!
[Haughmond won 4-1 after penalties & AET]
Train (Stockport-Stoke) = £13
Entry = £4
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Bus = £5
Total = £24
Eccy, as it is affectionately known by locals, is one of the trickiest outposts of the NWCFL to reach by public transport. The town is about 7 miles from Stafford, but lies in the 'nether region' not far from the Welsh border, with Market Drayton nearby. I had carefully planned the trip, and arrived at Stoke in time to catch the 12.42 bus. When I asked for a return to 'Eccles-hall', the driver looked confused and said 'Eccle-shall?' in response - clearly the correct pronunciation was one including the 'sh'. For a fiver, I managed to reach the town/village, about an hour's ride from outside Stoke station.
After exploring a couple of streets, and finding a variety of independent shops and bars (including a Belgian bar!) I headed to the ground. As the footpath ran out, I decided to trek through some fields, only to discover that I seemed to be on a cattle path, which headed down to the River Sow (and which seemed to be on private land). I sucked it up, and made it back to the road, using the slim grass verge for a while, and crossing over when I reached Pershall Park.
The chap at the gate-cum-table gave me a friendly welcome, and I parted with £5 for entry and a programme. The ground was what I had expected (in a good way). To the right of the entrance was a blue club-house, with what looked like breeze blocks, and to the left was a covered area with 3 'church hall' chairs. The dug-outs were on the far side opposite the club-house, with a blue roof covering a bench behind the away dug-out.
After the obligatory cup of tea from the intimate club-house, I took up my place behind the far goal. By virtue of my position and the lack of spectators I became a default ball-boy for most of the first half! In a white kit resembling Spurs, Haughmond came here as underdogs. From Shrewsbury, they were plying their trade in the West Midlands Regional League, one of the weaker leagues in the Midlands. They began positively, with 6 forcing a save to the keeper's right early on. Eccleshall looked threatening when they attacked, with a corner flying agonisingly across the face of goal. Their 8 and 9 then both screwed shots wide. I was particularly interested in the away side's formation, as they had clearly set out to stifle their slightly superior opponents - playing with 3 at the back with 8 acting as a kind of sweeper. Haughmond had the best chance of the first half, when 9's overhead kick volley rattled the cross-bar (think Benteke at Old Trafford). The home side were clearly frustrated, and an altercation in midfield resulted in bookings for the home side's 6 and Haughmond's 11. Haughmond's unfortunate 9 then rounded the keeper, only to fire into the side netting.
The away side had been much better in the first half, but the game became more even in the second period. Eccleshall's right-back was booked early on for a nasty late tackle on the Haughmond winger, before the home side's number 8 hit just over with his second touch. Haughmond's excellent 8 then had a rasping shot which the home keeper nearly spilt. The home keeper looked particularly at sea and lacking authority when the ball came in the box. The challenges continued to fly in, and Eccy's 7 was booked for a late tackle on 10, who shortly after fired wide with his left foot. 7's free kick was then saved, which proved to be their best chance of the second half. At the far end (where I had resigned as ball-boy!) Haughmond's 14 then rattled the bar (this time from close range), and then 9 could only snatch a shot wide.
So, like the Ashton-Atherton game, extra time beckoned. Unfortunately this time I had to leave early, as I had to make the 17.14 bus back to Stoke, so could only stay for 5 minutes of it. I felt sure that if this match went off for another 90 minutes, neither team would score. This was confirmed when I checked the result on 'The Cloud' at Stoke station. Haughmond had won 4-1 on penalties, and (based on the 95 minutes I saw) they deserved the victory, particularly for setting out so well tactically. Eccy is a nice ground worth a visit, but go in a car - it's a nightmare to reach by bus!
Saturday, 5 September 2015
Ashton Athletic (05-09-2015)
Ashton Athletic 0 - 0 Atherton Collieries (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round), Saturday 5th September 2015
Train = £4-30
Entry = £5
Tea x 2 = £2
Sandwich = £1-60
Total = £12-90
Last season I stood shivering at Ashton Town's ground during a chilly April End of season match. Today I was back in the town, this time for the more intriguingly named Brocstedes Park. I decided to get the train to Wigan, and walk straight from there. Ashton is not a big town so it didn't take me long to locate the ground, after walking over the M6.
Brocstedes Park was a tidy and well maintained ground, with the entrance gates painted blue and yellow and the terraces looking promising. After I entered the ground (and discovered the programmes had sold out) the sun came out, and I felt a sense of optimism that the season was now really in full swing.
This was an early FA Vase qualifier, pitting Ashton against their (fairly local) rivals Atherton Colls. Despite much industry from both sides, the first 20 minutes barely registered a shot on target. Then the Ashton's Blakeley was subbed for Cringle, and for some reason the game began to open up.
A weak header from Ashton's Adam Gilchrist was the first shot of the game, whilst at the other end Atherton replied with a drive from the right wing. Atherton's Ben Hardcastle and Ashton's Gilchrist were at the centre of their teams' attacks as they created more chances. Ashton had a spell of 10-minute dominance, culminating in a header from Rowlands which was comfortably caught by the keeper. At the other end, Colls looked lively, with a long ranger from Holt and a drive from Hardcastle testing the home keeper.
The second half grew into a stalemate, albeit a pacey and aggressive one. Ashton again had a brief period of possession and chances, with their captain heading over, before Cringle's low drive was well saved. Almost inevitably Atherton then had a glut of opportunities. Kirby and Hardcastle had shots solidly saved, while Mark Truffas curled another effort wide. Then almost on the whistle Gareth Peet had a clear cut chance, forcing a great tip around the post.
So to extra time, and I was starting to think that nobody would score today. Atherton's chances continued, with Hardcastle's shot tipped over and Nathan Battersby firing wide. Ashton then had a gilt edged chance when Kusoloka ran free on the wing, and had a unmarked player in the middle. When he shot instead of squaring it back it brought a furious reaction from his fellow attacker! Tempers were starting to fray now, and there was an angry confrontation between Atherton's Jimmy Moore and Ashton's Louis Edwards. The game was then halted while Ashton's Luke Holden received treatment for a nosebleed. The home side then very nearly won it at the death, when Daniel Regan's long range chip was saved, before Kusoloka went clean through and was foiled fantastically by the away keeper.
So it had finished a complete stalemate, despite at times threatening to break into an entertaining game of football. I hurried back to Wigan for the 18:22 train, making it through the door at 20:35. I realised that this is the third consecutive year when I've seen FA Vase games at this round go to extra time. I'll have to put a bet on it next season!
Train = £4-30
Entry = £5
Tea x 2 = £2
Sandwich = £1-60
Total = £12-90
Last season I stood shivering at Ashton Town's ground during a chilly April End of season match. Today I was back in the town, this time for the more intriguingly named Brocstedes Park. I decided to get the train to Wigan, and walk straight from there. Ashton is not a big town so it didn't take me long to locate the ground, after walking over the M6.
Brocstedes Park was a tidy and well maintained ground, with the entrance gates painted blue and yellow and the terraces looking promising. After I entered the ground (and discovered the programmes had sold out) the sun came out, and I felt a sense of optimism that the season was now really in full swing.
This was an early FA Vase qualifier, pitting Ashton against their (fairly local) rivals Atherton Colls. Despite much industry from both sides, the first 20 minutes barely registered a shot on target. Then the Ashton's Blakeley was subbed for Cringle, and for some reason the game began to open up.
A weak header from Ashton's Adam Gilchrist was the first shot of the game, whilst at the other end Atherton replied with a drive from the right wing. Atherton's Ben Hardcastle and Ashton's Gilchrist were at the centre of their teams' attacks as they created more chances. Ashton had a spell of 10-minute dominance, culminating in a header from Rowlands which was comfortably caught by the keeper. At the other end, Colls looked lively, with a long ranger from Holt and a drive from Hardcastle testing the home keeper.
The second half grew into a stalemate, albeit a pacey and aggressive one. Ashton again had a brief period of possession and chances, with their captain heading over, before Cringle's low drive was well saved. Almost inevitably Atherton then had a glut of opportunities. Kirby and Hardcastle had shots solidly saved, while Mark Truffas curled another effort wide. Then almost on the whistle Gareth Peet had a clear cut chance, forcing a great tip around the post.
So to extra time, and I was starting to think that nobody would score today. Atherton's chances continued, with Hardcastle's shot tipped over and Nathan Battersby firing wide. Ashton then had a gilt edged chance when Kusoloka ran free on the wing, and had a unmarked player in the middle. When he shot instead of squaring it back it brought a furious reaction from his fellow attacker! Tempers were starting to fray now, and there was an angry confrontation between Atherton's Jimmy Moore and Ashton's Louis Edwards. The game was then halted while Ashton's Luke Holden received treatment for a nosebleed. The home side then very nearly won it at the death, when Daniel Regan's long range chip was saved, before Kusoloka went clean through and was foiled fantastically by the away keeper.
So it had finished a complete stalemate, despite at times threatening to break into an entertaining game of football. I hurried back to Wigan for the 18:22 train, making it through the door at 20:35. I realised that this is the third consecutive year when I've seen FA Vase games at this round go to extra time. I'll have to put a bet on it next season!
Saturday, 6 September 2014
Irlam (06-09-2014)
Irlam 1 - 2 St Helen's Town AET (FA Vase), 6th September 2014
Train = £3-90 (Manchester-Irlam)
Entrance = £5
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Total = £10-90
If you are driving Westbound on the M62, between junctions 12 and 11, you may notice floodlights in a distant field - this is the Silver Street home of Irlam FC. I reached the ground via a creeping Northern Rail train from Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool, which seemed to be stopping at every conceivable stop to Merseyside. Irlam itself was fairly non-descript, and it took me circa 40 minutes to find the ground, just in time for kick off. I parted with £5 for entry, and cobbled together some change for the £1 programme. The chap commented that my wallet would be much lighter after that!
The ground was the usual fare - short covered terracing at one end and seating along the near side in an 'L' shape. The wall behind the far goal had collapsed, with grass and weeds starting to claim it as part of the nearby fields. The away fans were clustered behind the near goal, with an England flag with St Helen's Town on - there were quite a few for this one today. The most distinctive feature of the ground was probably the row of conifers around the far side, which made it look like a Christmas market. I wonder if the club might cash in on this potential income stream nearer the festive season?
The game came in fits and starts to be honest. There were some really exciting and open passages of play, but equally lots of time was lost to soft free kicks, niggly fouls and poor passing. St Helen's started on the front foot, seizing possession immediately, with number 10 looking lively. Irlam had a couple of dangerous counter-attacks, with 4's shot saved on 14 minutes and 8 curling over after a swift box-to-box move. St Helen's were a league above Irlam, but weren't looking all that much better. Their right-back was having a torrid game, mishitting and slicing every ball which came his way. This was looking a fairly level game until a looping header by St Helen's number 5 (how do I apostrophise that correctly?!) was judged to have crossed the line, despite what looked like a goal-line clearance from the home side.
The game really got going in the second half, with St Helen's looking good money for a win. First, number 10's free-kick hit the cross-bar, then the lively 7 had a volley cleared off the line. Not to be outdone, Irlam continued to counter, and very nearly sneaked an equaliser when number 9's shot rattled the post. They also had a decent shout for a penalty when it looked like 8's shot had cannoned off an Irlam hand. As the game became increasingly fractured by free kickd and silly fouls, it seemed like St Helen's would win this one. An excellent interchange between the improved number 2 and number 7 resulted in another good chance being fired over. Irlam were still in the fight for this one, and grabbed an equaliser when 5 headed in from a re-bound to make it 1-1. This was now heading to extra time.
St Helen's weren't done in the 90 minutes, and continued to press for a winner. 15's well-struck volley produced a fantastic finger-tip save from the home keeper, which drew applause from both sets of fans. Then late on, 15 was fouled by 5 when clean, with the latter promptly (and correctly) sent off.
I only saw the first half of extra time, but there weren't many incidents. Again, the game was becoming broken up and despite the best efforts of both sides, hardly any chances were created. St Helen's looked in control now their opponents were down to 10, and re-established their lead when 7's flicked header made it 2-1. Unfortunately, I had to miss the second half of extra time to make the 17:44 train, but it didn't sound like I missed much. The score remained 2-1, and St Helen's moved a step closer to Wembley.
Train = £3-90 (Manchester-Irlam)
Entrance = £5
Programme = £1
Tea = £1
Total = £10-90
If you are driving Westbound on the M62, between junctions 12 and 11, you may notice floodlights in a distant field - this is the Silver Street home of Irlam FC. I reached the ground via a creeping Northern Rail train from Manchester Oxford Road to Liverpool, which seemed to be stopping at every conceivable stop to Merseyside. Irlam itself was fairly non-descript, and it took me circa 40 minutes to find the ground, just in time for kick off. I parted with £5 for entry, and cobbled together some change for the £1 programme. The chap commented that my wallet would be much lighter after that!
The ground was the usual fare - short covered terracing at one end and seating along the near side in an 'L' shape. The wall behind the far goal had collapsed, with grass and weeds starting to claim it as part of the nearby fields. The away fans were clustered behind the near goal, with an England flag with St Helen's Town on - there were quite a few for this one today. The most distinctive feature of the ground was probably the row of conifers around the far side, which made it look like a Christmas market. I wonder if the club might cash in on this potential income stream nearer the festive season?
The game came in fits and starts to be honest. There were some really exciting and open passages of play, but equally lots of time was lost to soft free kicks, niggly fouls and poor passing. St Helen's started on the front foot, seizing possession immediately, with number 10 looking lively. Irlam had a couple of dangerous counter-attacks, with 4's shot saved on 14 minutes and 8 curling over after a swift box-to-box move. St Helen's were a league above Irlam, but weren't looking all that much better. Their right-back was having a torrid game, mishitting and slicing every ball which came his way. This was looking a fairly level game until a looping header by St Helen's number 5 (how do I apostrophise that correctly?!) was judged to have crossed the line, despite what looked like a goal-line clearance from the home side.
The game really got going in the second half, with St Helen's looking good money for a win. First, number 10's free-kick hit the cross-bar, then the lively 7 had a volley cleared off the line. Not to be outdone, Irlam continued to counter, and very nearly sneaked an equaliser when number 9's shot rattled the post. They also had a decent shout for a penalty when it looked like 8's shot had cannoned off an Irlam hand. As the game became increasingly fractured by free kickd and silly fouls, it seemed like St Helen's would win this one. An excellent interchange between the improved number 2 and number 7 resulted in another good chance being fired over. Irlam were still in the fight for this one, and grabbed an equaliser when 5 headed in from a re-bound to make it 1-1. This was now heading to extra time.
St Helen's weren't done in the 90 minutes, and continued to press for a winner. 15's well-struck volley produced a fantastic finger-tip save from the home keeper, which drew applause from both sets of fans. Then late on, 15 was fouled by 5 when clean, with the latter promptly (and correctly) sent off.
I only saw the first half of extra time, but there weren't many incidents. Again, the game was becoming broken up and despite the best efforts of both sides, hardly any chances were created. St Helen's looked in control now their opponents were down to 10, and re-established their lead when 7's flicked header made it 2-1. Unfortunately, I had to miss the second half of extra time to make the 17:44 train, but it didn't sound like I missed much. The score remained 2-1, and St Helen's moved a step closer to Wembley.
Saturday, 7 September 2013
Knaresborough Town (07-09-2013)
Knaresborough Town 4 – 3 Westella Hanson AET (FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round), 7th September 2013
Total: £29-60
i-paper: 30p
Train ticket (Sheffield-Knaresborough): £21-30
Entrance: £4
Programme: £1
Raffle: £1
Tea (x2): £2
Knaresborough is located just North of Harrogate, roughly a 45 minute train ride from Leeds. The town was quite picturesque, with waterside cafes, an impressive stone railway bridge, and the remains of a castle. As I explored the riverside before the match, I wandered to the top of the castle, where I saw a woman dressed in full chain mail! This was a real contrast to the less illustrious surroundings of Clipstone and Atherton.
Knaresborough Town, like Clipstone, entered the NCEL in 2012/13, and are very much the new kids on the block. Today was a historic one for the club as they entered the FA Vase for the first time against Westella Hanson of the Central Midlands Northern Division. Today was also non-league day (with home internationals played on the Friday), so there could be a larger than average gate for such an historic game. The ground was fairly similar to Clipstone’s (albeit a bit smaller), with one small covered terrace behind the near goal, and a small stand of perhaps 30-40 seats just on the halfway line. I struggled to capture a decent photo of the ground with the dark clouds looming ominously in the distance – this could be the first day of genuinely bad weather this season.
The game turned out to be the most thrilling I’ve seen so far this year, made all the more exciting by the fact that this was knock-out football (with the distant carrot of Wembley), and that these two teams had not met before. Westella belied their status as underdogs, and more than matched the home side in the first quarter. They took the lead on 6 minutes with a header, and made it 2-0 on 20 minutes with a curling left-foot shot into the bottom corner. The second proved particularly controversial, as Knaresborough felt play should have been stopped for a foul – it wasn’t, and it seemed as if time had frozen when the ball hit the back of the net. A classic example of playing to the whistle - whether you agree with the referee’s decision or not. Gradually, Knaresborough started to assert themselves, and scored a deserved goal on 34 minutes, drilled in by their number 10. This set up an intriguing second half.
From the restart, Knaresborough looked like the more likely to win today, despite trailing. They scored an equaliser almost immediately, with number 7 getting on the end of a cross to slot in. Given home advantage, and Knaresborough’s league position, it now looked like they would take advantage of a tired-looking away team. Just when it looked like they would take the lead, on 55 minutes they were reduced to 10 men after a fracas in the far corner. Westella started to get back into the game, and with the home team disorganised for a short time, they made it 3-2 on 69 minutes with their number 10 slotting past the keeper one-on-one.
By this point, Knaresborough were furiously barracking the referee for almost every decision – no doubt feeling aggrieved about the second Westella goal, and the red card. This was compounded when the Westella left back flew into a thigh-high tackle with his studs up, only to be booked rather than sent off. It now looked like the home side had the ‘bit between their teeth’, and were determined the defy the one-man deficit and the what they saw as a poor referee. Late on, a cross was swung in, and Knaresborough’s number 10 volleyed a magnificient overhead kick into the roof of the net to make it 3-3. Judging by the grimace afterwards, it looked like he had pulled his hamstring in the process. Extra time beckoned, and I learnt one of the quirks of this competition – apparently if it was even after 120 minutes, it would go to a replay rather than penalties. I couldn’t help but think that neither team would want a replay after such a draining match.
After I grabbed a quick cup of tea, and extra time began, the heavens opened, and I was grateful that I had my trusty Quechua coat with me. The second half of extra time saw brilliant sunshine, and I quickly dried off as the game continued on a knife-edge. It still looked like anyone’s game, until (around) 110 minutes, when Knaresborough’s number 15 curled in a superb goal – which was almost a carbon copy of Westella’s controversial second. He slid on the grass, and you could feel this game had gone into the annals of the club’s history. They closed out the game confidently, and while Westella had one or two close chances, it was clear that Knaresborough had wrapped up a famous win. It is a credit to both teams that I’m not writing about the ground, but the game itself which was an absolute epic. My first game of the season in Yorkshire, and what a game it had proved to be!
Total: £29-60
i-paper: 30p
Train ticket (Sheffield-Knaresborough): £21-30
Entrance: £4
Programme: £1
Raffle: £1
Tea (x2): £2
Knaresborough is located just North of Harrogate, roughly a 45 minute train ride from Leeds. The town was quite picturesque, with waterside cafes, an impressive stone railway bridge, and the remains of a castle. As I explored the riverside before the match, I wandered to the top of the castle, where I saw a woman dressed in full chain mail! This was a real contrast to the less illustrious surroundings of Clipstone and Atherton.
Knaresborough Town, like Clipstone, entered the NCEL in 2012/13, and are very much the new kids on the block. Today was a historic one for the club as they entered the FA Vase for the first time against Westella Hanson of the Central Midlands Northern Division. Today was also non-league day (with home internationals played on the Friday), so there could be a larger than average gate for such an historic game. The ground was fairly similar to Clipstone’s (albeit a bit smaller), with one small covered terrace behind the near goal, and a small stand of perhaps 30-40 seats just on the halfway line. I struggled to capture a decent photo of the ground with the dark clouds looming ominously in the distance – this could be the first day of genuinely bad weather this season.
The game turned out to be the most thrilling I’ve seen so far this year, made all the more exciting by the fact that this was knock-out football (with the distant carrot of Wembley), and that these two teams had not met before. Westella belied their status as underdogs, and more than matched the home side in the first quarter. They took the lead on 6 minutes with a header, and made it 2-0 on 20 minutes with a curling left-foot shot into the bottom corner. The second proved particularly controversial, as Knaresborough felt play should have been stopped for a foul – it wasn’t, and it seemed as if time had frozen when the ball hit the back of the net. A classic example of playing to the whistle - whether you agree with the referee’s decision or not. Gradually, Knaresborough started to assert themselves, and scored a deserved goal on 34 minutes, drilled in by their number 10. This set up an intriguing second half.
From the restart, Knaresborough looked like the more likely to win today, despite trailing. They scored an equaliser almost immediately, with number 7 getting on the end of a cross to slot in. Given home advantage, and Knaresborough’s league position, it now looked like they would take advantage of a tired-looking away team. Just when it looked like they would take the lead, on 55 minutes they were reduced to 10 men after a fracas in the far corner. Westella started to get back into the game, and with the home team disorganised for a short time, they made it 3-2 on 69 minutes with their number 10 slotting past the keeper one-on-one.
By this point, Knaresborough were furiously barracking the referee for almost every decision – no doubt feeling aggrieved about the second Westella goal, and the red card. This was compounded when the Westella left back flew into a thigh-high tackle with his studs up, only to be booked rather than sent off. It now looked like the home side had the ‘bit between their teeth’, and were determined the defy the one-man deficit and the what they saw as a poor referee. Late on, a cross was swung in, and Knaresborough’s number 10 volleyed a magnificient overhead kick into the roof of the net to make it 3-3. Judging by the grimace afterwards, it looked like he had pulled his hamstring in the process. Extra time beckoned, and I learnt one of the quirks of this competition – apparently if it was even after 120 minutes, it would go to a replay rather than penalties. I couldn’t help but think that neither team would want a replay after such a draining match.
After I grabbed a quick cup of tea, and extra time began, the heavens opened, and I was grateful that I had my trusty Quechua coat with me. The second half of extra time saw brilliant sunshine, and I quickly dried off as the game continued on a knife-edge. It still looked like anyone’s game, until (around) 110 minutes, when Knaresborough’s number 15 curled in a superb goal – which was almost a carbon copy of Westella’s controversial second. He slid on the grass, and you could feel this game had gone into the annals of the club’s history. They closed out the game confidently, and while Westella had one or two close chances, it was clear that Knaresborough had wrapped up a famous win. It is a credit to both teams that I’m not writing about the ground, but the game itself which was an absolute epic. My first game of the season in Yorkshire, and what a game it had proved to be!
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