FA Carlsberg Vase review 16th/17th November 2013

West Midlands (Regional) League interest in the 2013/14 FA Carlsberg Vase and also that of the Midland Combination leaders ended with defeats for Dudley Town and Brocton, while Midland Alliance clubs enjoyed little success in ties against United Counties League opposition.

Let’s start with my ‘Match of the Day’ where St Andrews of the East Midlands Counties League knocked out Brocton, leaders of the St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division by the odd goal in three. The Badgers dominated most of the game at Canal Street, allowing St Andrews to progress into the third round with a late penalty.
pitch-side-stories.com/2013/11/16/saints-march-on/
www.pitchero.com/clubs/broctonfc/news/brocton-slip-out-of-the-fa-vas-1096751.html

I highlighted out a couple of Midland Alliance v United Counties League ties in my pre-match preview including the visit of Spalding United to Walsall Wood. Facing a daunting task at Oak Park against a side with a 15-match 100% record in the league, Wood made the Tulips work hard for a 3-0 victory which included a 27th goal of the season for Andy Tideswell.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/walsallwood/s/match-centre-102985/2-15476
www.pitchero.com/clubs/spaldingunited/news/wonderful-win-at-walsall-wood-1096873.html

Extra time was required at Castlecroft before AFC Wulfunians went down 4-2 to AFC Rushden & Diamonds, who were forced to play an outfield player in goal for the entire 120 minutes. A bumper crowd saw the tie finish 2-2 after 90 minutes before Diamonds progressed with two unanswered extra-time goals. After falling behind, Wulfs edged ahead against 10-man opposition through Andy Thompson and an own goal. But the visitors equalised through Russ Dunkley.
www.afcwulfrunians.co.uk/2013/11/afcw-2-afc-rushden-diamonds-4-fa-vase
www.afcdiamonds.com/afc-wulfrunians-2-afc-rushden-diamonds-4-aet

Gornal Atheltic were out of luck against UCL opposition, going down 6-3 after extra time to Wisbech Town. It sounds like there were plenty of talking points at Garden Walk including the dismissal of Gornal’s Rudy Misambo. Alvechurch bucked the trend at Lye Meadow with an impressive 3-0 victory over UCL Division One leaders Oadby Town. A crowd of 211 saw two goals from Jamie Spencer and a third from Joe Wright defeated in-form opposition 3-0, who had scored 25 goals in their previous four games.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/alvechurch/s/match-centre-27463/2-15473

Nothing is going right for Rocester at the moment as they went down 2-1 after extra time at Holwell Sports while Loughborough University also went out at East Midlands Counties League opposition, losing 3-2 after extra time at Graham Street Prims.

Coleshill Town moved into the FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round draw with a 2-0 victory at Long Eaton United after extra time. Goalless after 90 minutes, Chris Gummery put Coleshill in front and a second goal from Matt Brown wrapped up win. Westfields emphatically defeated Coventry Sphinx 6-1 in an all Midland Alliance tie. The game didn’t get underway until 4pm as Sphinx were caught up in the much-reported delays on the M42. Jamie Insull bagged a hat-trick at allpay.park.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/coleshilltown/s/match-centre-26852/2-15475
www.westfieldsfc.com/teams/article/category/1st-team/Westfields-v-Coventry-Sphinx5

The only surviving St Mary’s Midland Combination Premier Division club, Bolehall Swifts, gained a bye into the third round. Their scheduled opponents Heanor Town and the team they beat in the last round, Kirby Muxloe, were both removed from the competition for fielding an ineligible player.

In North Staffordshire, Norton United suffered a disappointing afternoon at their own Community Drive ground, losing 2-0 to high-flying NCEL side Brighouse Town. The visitors scored twice in quick succession midway through the second half.

Back in September, I saw Cleethorpes Town defeat Basford United in the Second Qualifying Round. Their run came to an end with a 6-1 home defeat at the hands of Northern Leaguers Morpeth Town, watched by blogger ‘ChapelTom’.
chapeltom1314.wordpress.com/2013/11/16/cleethorpes-town-1-6-morpeth-town-the-magic-of-the-fa-vase

A total of 68 teams went into the ‘hat’ for the Third Round draw and…
8 Congleton Town v AFC Mansfield or Huntingdon Town
9 Blaby & Whetstone Athletic v Causeway United
10 AFC Rushden & Diamonds v Graham St Prims
11 Holwell Sports v Coleshill Town
12 Spalding United v Wisbech Town
13 Alvechurch v Westfields
14 St Andrews v Bolehall Swifts
Read more at www.thefa.com/News/competitions/fa-vase/2013/nov/fa-vase-third-round-proper-draw-181113.aspx#yc70Y2SZOrUl13sK.99

Saints march into next round

St Andrews 2 Brocton 1…Brocton’s FA Carlsberg Vase dreams are over after a late penalty propelled St Andrews into the third round for the first time in almost 20 years. In what was a absorbing tie, unmarked Brady Hickey headed St Andrews into an early lead. Another header from David Berks levelled things up again before the interval. Brocton dominated but couldn’t make the vital breakthrough and St Andrews went through courtesy of a late penalty converted by Toby Warner.

If Brocton had to be drawn away from home this round, a tie away to Leicester-based St Andrews couldn’t have been a better one for me personally. Those who regular read the old and new Pitch-side Stories will know all about my inclination towards visiting previously unvisited grounds, regardless of whether I support any of the teams in action. St Andrews fell in to that category, except I wanted the Badgers to win this afternoon.

Having never seem them play before either home and away, I knew little about St Andrews other than they are based in south Leicester, members of the East Midlands Counties League and the badges suggests a possible Scottish connection. The programme filled me in on the club history. Established in 1973 by a group of friends based at the former Rifle Butts public house who had previously played friendly matches, the new club became members of the Leicestershire City League for 12 years before joining the Leicestershire Senior League in 1985. They won the LSL Premier Division on three occasions before becoming a founder member of the East Midlands Counties League. The present 2013/14 season is their sixth in the EMCL with a highest finishing position of fourth achieved in 2011/12.

Fancying a trip by train, the 3-mile walk from station to ground took me via the Polar Bear pub, one of the oldest in Leicester and situated on Oxford Street close to the former and now redeveloped Fox’s Glacier Mint factory. A pub that is a lot bigger on the inside than the narrow exterior suggests and amongst the ales on offer was my choice Adnams Ghost Ship. Approaching the ground, who else’s mind briefly flashed back to Runcorn on seeing that Canal Street street sign?

Warmly welcomed at the pay box, I found the St Andrews squad relaxing in the clubhouse and couldn’t fault the ladies running the tea bar with chips and veggie curry sauce on the menu!

Both sides are enjoying a successful 2013/14 campaign in their respective leagues. St Andrews (23 points from 12 games) sat sixth in the East Midlands Counties League, 12 points behind leaders Arnold Town, while Brocton (35 points from13 games) topped the St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division, four points clear of Bolehall Swifts.

Before kick-off, Alex Latham arrived [expected – ‘REALLY tall guy with a pony tail and yellow coat on!’], as did John Revitt [unexpected]. As he had done for the past couple of seasons, Alex picked out a tie from the FA Carlsberg Vase First Qualifying Round and follows the winner of each tie he watches all the way to Wembley. This year he started at Lichfield City 3 Brocton 4 and continued with Brocton 5 Wolverhampton Casuals 3 and Stourport Swifts 0 Brocton 2. Oh, Alex must be a contender for the World’s tallest groundhopper with a height of what must be at least 7ft. Also at the game was Arthur Evans from Aylesbury, a familiar name who has had many stand photos published on the Football Traveller front cover.

Brocton (in familiar green and white) got the game underway attacking the old railway or far end, left to right in relation to the stand. Gary Fife swung in a left-wing corner which was headed off the line by Ben Stephens at the far post.

It was, however, St Andrews who made a breakthrough in the 13th minute. Leon Doughty crossed deep from the right towards the far post where unchallenged Brady Hickey headed home past Adam Whitehouse.

Undeterred by the early setback, Brocton pressed forward in search of an equaliser. Damien Charie slipped a pass into the path of Jamie Evans who fired low across the face of goal.

The Badgers’ possession was indeed turned into a 24th minute equaliser. Sam Bell, on the right, crossed into the six-yard box where David Berks sent a close-range header past St Andrews goalkeeper Tom Dennis.

Up to half-time, Brocton continued to dominate and a scramble from Fife’s corner just after the half-hour mark almost produced a second goal. The contest became increasingly feisty with the name of Charie as well as Sam Taylor and Daniel Henfrey entering the referee’s notebook.

With the half-time score all-square at St Andrews 1 Brocton 1, I though the Badgers could have done with turning their obvious possession advantage into at least one or two more goals. Would that prove costly?

The second half followed the pattern of the first half – Brocton on top but unable to score a second goal.

Berks was denied a cast-iron penalty soon after the restart and Dennis produced a decent near-post save to keep out a shot from Paul McMahon.

Dennis, not named in the programme squad, emerged a hero midway through the second half by keeping out a low shot from substitute Jethro Jarrett who did well despite the attention of two defenders.

Fife’s free-kicks posed problems for the St Andrews defence. One effort from fully 30 yards out rebounded off the woodwork and a follow-up shot from Jarrett hit a blocking defender. Levi Bailey fired inches wide from the resulting corner.

Another Fife free-kick flew across the area where unchallenged Andy Bourne just failed to make contact with the ball.

Disaster then struck the Badgers. Charlie Jones tripped Tom Marriott inside the area and Toby Warner kept his cool to convert the resulting penalty. The goal sent St Andrews into dreamland.

According to my notes, St Andrews had had just two serious efforts on target… and both produced a goal.

It certainly wasn’t over as Brocton still had seven minutes plus stoppage time in which to grab an equaliser.

C’mon the Badgers!

Time ticked away, far too quickly. At 90 seconds into stoppage time, the assistant nearest the dugouts suggested two minutes remaining, which proved accurate as the referee raised a finger a minute later.

Dramatically, the outcome came down to a last-gasp Brocton free-kick some 30-yards out to the right of the ‘D’. Could Berks repeat the free-kick he struck to score a very late winner at Evans Park in the Vase two years ago? With a packed area containing nine green shirts and every St Andrews player defending, the Brocton captain hit a curling free-kick which fizzed inches past the left-hand post with Dennis beaten. Agony.

That was it and the home side were able to sing that the “Saints go marching in” while gutted Brocton (and myself) were left to reflect on what could have been. The Badgers, of course, can now ‘concentrate on the league’ and go on to secure that coverted place the Baker Joiner Midland Alliance.

For Alex, it was the end of his four-match run with Brocton which had begun at Lichfield back in September. St Andrews are his new team to follow in the Vase and no doubt will be keenly awaiting Monday’s draw to discover the next destination on the ‘Road to Wembley’.

Saturday 16th November 2013
St Andrews 1 Brocton 2
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round
At: Canal Street
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (12 pages)
Weather: cloudy, mild and dry

St Andrews (black and white stripes / black / white): 1. Tom Dennis, 2. Sam Preston, 3. Mitch Warner, 4. Tom Hodson, 5. Joe Latham, 6. Daniel Henfrey (capt), 7. Toby Warner, 8. Brady Hickey, 9. Sam Taylor, 10. Leon Doughty, 11. Ben Stephens. Subs: 12. Tom Marriott (for Taylor, 78), 14. Sam Hollis (for Stephens, 65), 15. Tom Orton (not used), 16. Ryan Hodgkinson (not used), 17gk. Warren Butlin (not used). Manager: Andy Purple.

Brocton (green with white sleeves / white / green): 1. Adam Whitehouse, 2. Sam Bell, 3. Jamie Evans, 4. Rob Tomlinson, 5. Levi Bailey, 6. Andy Bourne, 7. Charlie Jones, 8. Damian Charie, 9. Gary Fife, 10. David Berks (capt), 11. Paul McMahon. Subs: 12. Craig Hulme (for McMahon, 80), 14. Richard Allen (not used), 15. Liam Haycock (not used), 16. Mick Fox (not used), 17. Jethro Jarrett (for Charie, 65). Manager: John Berks.

Referee: Paul Buck
Assistants: Khalil Akbar and Mark Bancroft

Attendance: 160 (headcount)

Goals:
1-0 Brady Hickey (13)
1-1 David Berks (24)
2-1 Toby Warner (83 pen)

Cards:
St Andrews: Sam Taylor (YC, 37), Daniel Henfrey (YC, 42), Joe Latham (YC, 90+3)
Brocton: Damien Charie (YC, 30), Charlie Jones (YC, 82)

Matchday Preview Saturday 16th November 2013

A look at a selection of games on Saturday 16th November involving clubs in Staffordshire, Midland Alliance, Midland Combination and West Midlands (Regional) League

The FA Carlsberg Vase Second Round takes centre stage on an International weekend when no Premier League or Championship fixtures are scheduled.

Brocton are the sole St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination side remaining in the competition and they face an intriguing tie away to Leicester-based St Andrews – so intriguing that it may well be the Pitch-side-Stories featured match. The Badgers, who sit unbeaten at the top of the table, suffered a hiccup last Saturday when they exited the Staffordshire Vase at the hands of Wolstanton United. Facing a side 6th in the East Midlands Counties League, Brocton will be looking to emulate their achievements of the 2011/12 season when they reached the Third Round.

Ten Baker Joiner Midland Alliance clubs are in Second Round action with two ties against United Counties League Premier Division opposition standing out. Quarter Finalists last season, Walsall Wood face a tough task at home to Spalding United who have won all of their 15 league games scoring 55 goals and conceding just three. A famous name in AFC Rushden & Diamonds visit Castlecroft to face AFC Wulfrunians in what should be a ‘cracking game in front of a bumper crowd’. AFC R&D was formed in July 2001 after former Football League club Rushden & Diamonds were expelled from the Conference and subsequently liquidated.

Like the Midland Combination, just one club from the West Midlands (Regional) League remains in the Vase and Dudley Town visit Causeway United. The game will be played on Sunday at Halesowen Town FC, kick-off 1-00 pm.

In North Staffordshire, Norton United host leading Northern Counties East League side Brighouse Town at Community Drive. Fifth in the North-West Counties League Premier Division table, Norton got back to winning ways last Saturday while promotion-cashing Brighouse have won their last five league games

To finish this FA Vase preview, back in September I saw Cleethorpes Town produce a shock in the Second Qualifying Round by winning at Basford United. The Owls are still on the ‘Road to Wembley’ and face a home tie against Northern Leaguers Morpeth Town. Twitter correspondent #NoMoreTeletext provides a detailed blow-by-blow account of every Cleethorpes game.

Cleethorpes Town v Morpeth Town
Norton United v Brighouse Town
Walsall Wood v Spalding United
Graham St Prims v Loughborough University
Alvechurch v Oadby Town
Westfields v Coventry Sphinx
Gornal Athletic v Wisbech Town
Holwell Sports v Rocester
Long Eaton United v Coleshill Town
AFC Wulfrunians v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
St Andrews v Brocton
Causeway United v Dudley Town

Stafford Rangers will be looking to build on Monday’s Doodson Sport Cup win at Romulus when the travel into Derbyshire to face Ilkeston FC. Rangers haven’t had much luck in league games on the road this season and conceded five goals in each of their last three. Ilkeston have won just one of their last five league games.

Stafford Town will be looking to bounce back from the disappointment of losing their unbeaten home league record on Tuesday. The Reds went down by the odd goal in three against Bolehall Swifts with the winner coming in stoppage time at the end. Today they face a trip to Alvis Sporting Club who currently occupy sixth position in the Midland Combination Premier Division table.

Completing a look at the three Stafford-based sides in league action, FC Stafford host Red Star Alma at Rowley Park, kick-off 2-30 pm. Last Saturday, they were involved in a thrilling Staffordshire Challenge Cup tie at Redgate Clayton Reserves which they sadly lost by the odd goal in nine. FC Stafford currently sit 10th in the West Midlands (Regional) League Division Two tables, one position and seven points better off than visitors Red Star Alma.

In brief, Baker Joiner Midland League leaders Tividale put their 100% league record on the line when they visit third-placed Quorn. Highgate United, away to Shepshed Dynamo will be looking to take advantage of any slip-up by the Yellows. Form side Boldmere St Michaels, with a 100% record at home, host Tipton Town at the Trevor Brown Memorial Ground.

West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division table toppers Lye Town will be looking to extend their unbeaten record to 20 games with a home game at Bilston Town (2007). Black Country Rangers host Wellington Amateurs while fifth-placed Wolverhampton Casuals travel to Bustleholme.

With Brocton in FA Vase action, Bolehall Swifts will the gap with the St Mary’s Hospice Midland Combination Premier Division leaders to just one point of they can beat Racing Club Warwick at Rene Road. The majority of Division One and Two clubs are involved in the Birmingham Saturday Vase Second Round.

Finally, looking at Staffordshire County Senior League Premier Division table, Uttoxeter Town hold a three-point advantage over second-placed Wolstanton United who have a game in hand. Both face away games against the bottom-two sides with Uttoxeter travelling to Cheadle Town and Wolstanton to Keele University.

“With an international break @ weekend, Go out & support your local Non League Team. You will love the quality” Rob Hornby

Vase upset at Basford

Saturday 21st September 2013
Basford United 0 Cleethorpes Town 2
FA Carlsberg Vase Second Qualifying Round
At: Mill Street Playing Field, Greenwich Avenue, Basford, Nottingham
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (16 pages + official teamsheet)
Weather: warm and sunny

Today’s football recipe consisted of four ingredients… (a) FA Vase tie; (b) at a ground never previously visited; (c) not a million miles from home; and (d) a decent story to recall whatever the result. Out of the 153 ties being played this afternoon, four leapt off the page of the Football Traveller and I was sent of my way to north-west Nottingham for an intriguing contest between two Toolstation Northern Counties East League sides. Both recently gained promotion – Basford at the end of last season from the East Midlands Counties League to the Premier Division and Cleethorpes in 2012 from the Lincolnshire League to Division One.

To me on paper, progressive Basford United looked to have the pedigree to move through several rounds or even make it all the way to the final at Wembley, especially after they found their goalscoring touch on Tuesday with a 5-1 against Heanor Town. On the other hand, I’d noticed Cleethorpes Town had made an impressive start to their second campaign in Division One. Who would prevail?

Had things turned out differently on one March Saturday last year, I would have already visited Greenwich Avenue. But I decided to miss the middle two games of the four-game Central Midlands League ‘Bonanza’ (Basford and Dronfield) in favour of a visit to Appleby Frodingham after the opening game at Clifton and before the final game at Glapwell.

Looking at photos from that Bonanza game on Laurence Reade’s blog (link here), improvements have been made a plenty at Greenwich Avenue in the intervening 18 months. A new perimeter fence for starters, seats in the stand near the dugouts as well as an extra area of covered standing behind one goal and of course floodlights. Another new facility nearing completion is the pitch-side changing room block.

Arriving early, as is my preference, a club official kindly opened up the paybox – admission with souvenir match ticket (£5), programme (£1) and lapel badge (£3). Subsequently teamsheets were provided free of charge for those who purchased a programme, a nice and most welcome touch.

The current league table shows Basford sitting 11th with 14 points from 11 games. Goalscoring looks to be a problem this season with no more than two scored in a game until a thumping 5-1 home win over Heanor Town on Tuesday (watched by On The Road’s Malc and Kev http://ontheroad2013-2014.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/basford-utd-5-1-heanor-town.html).

Before the game I got chatting to an Ilkeston-based groundhopper wearing a Llandyrnog Summer League top who was making his first visit to the Mill Street playing fields for donkeys years.

One of Northampton’s finest, Mr John Revitt esq, also arrived for his second visit to the ground having seen a 0-0 draw a few years ago played over 40 minutes each way. He assured me that he’d not morphed into his mode of transport – the Tram! [a joke for groundhoppers and one no doubt totally lost on those not familiar with ‘Garstang Bob’]. I was good to meet up with John again.

The Basford United website (http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/basfordunitedfc/a/club-history-21149.html) provides an informative history of a club that had only come to my attention over the past couple of years.

Basford United’s birthplace was the Old Pear Tree Inn in 1900. It wasn’t long before they moved to the Dolly Tub pitch, which is now part of the Highbury Estate. In 1903 they moved to Catchems Corner where they stayed for 27 years until they moved to Vernon Avenue. A few years later they moved to Mill Street and in 1990 to Greenwich Avenue.

To their credit, Basford have risen from the ‘lower reaches of Notts Alliance Division One’ to Step 5 in little over 10 years. In recent times following a spell in the Notts Amateur League, they joined the Notts Senior League in 2006, then won the 2011/12 Central Midlands League South title at the first attempt after moving up a step and following this up by winning the East Midlands Counties League last season, also at the first attempt.

Five wins and two draws from their first nine league games is a pretty good return and enough to put Cleethorpes in third position in the Division One table. Defeated 2-0 at home by current leaders two weeks ago, they have bounced back with back-to-back wins over Hall Road Rangers in the league and most recently over Hallam in the League Cup.

Referee James Thornhill (injured refereeing the Walsall Wood v Wigan Robin Park Vase tie I saw back in January) led the teams out from the soon-to-be-old changing rooms and Basford (in amber and black) soon got the action underway. The visitors won the toss and decided to attack the far railway end in the first half with the sun on their backs.

Basford suffered an early blow when Ash Dyce picked up an injury around the nine-minute mark which forced the skipper out of the game.

The home side created a decent chance to take the lead midway through the first half. Jamie Walker on the left threaded a path to Tyeisse Nightingale who saw his low shot held by the diving Cleethorpes goalkeeper Scott Drury.

At this point, Cleethorpes had certainly been on top and they turned their dominance into an opening goal scored in the 28th minute. Luke Mascall on the left inside the area found Brody Robertson at the far post who fired a low angled shot across the Basford six-yard box. The ball rebounded off the far post and Nathan Emson slotted home the rebound to score his fourth goal of the season.

Having been forced to adjust following the earlier departure of one central defender, Basford lost their other to injury as well when Jack Davies limped off. The home side certainly faced an uphill task, a goal down and just one substitution remaining.

I made my way around to the stand and spent the latter stages of the first half in the company of the aforementioned Mr Revitt. Checking Twitter at half-time, I was left in admiration of the couple sat in front of me for their detailed account of the first half.

Here’s how they saw the goal… 27′ 0-1 #NoMoreTeletext: Fantastic switch ball by J. Oglesby to @Mascall17, he passes one player, squares the ball to @brody_robertson…. who’s shot hits the post and rebounds into the path of @NathanEmmo who smashes the ball home
The Basford tweeter had also been busy as well… Utd behind on 27 as really slack play allows a Cleethorpe forward to net off the post.

Elsewhere in the Vase, of particular interest to me,…Stafford Town losing 4-0 at Bromsgrove and down to ten men and Wolverhampton Casuals leading Brocton 2-1 at Silkmore Lane in a Staffordshire derby. March Town United, the club I visited seven days ago were losing 1-0 at home to Godmanchester.

No joy with raffle as my ticket no-so-lucky strip of 946–950 yellow turned out to be a million miles away from the winning 316–320. Tea from the hatch near the paybox was a good cuppa.

It got worse for Basford in the 52nd minute with a second goal for Cleethorpes. Home goalkeeper Alessandro Barcherini got down to cut out Jonathan Oglesby’s low cross into the area from the left, succeeded only in presenting Emson with a gift of a chance which he duly slotted home. Two goals for Emson! Could the home side respond?

“Any idea of the Forest score,” someone asked me. “Sorry, no,” I replied to an Italian-sounding man who couldn’t be faulted for his vociferous support of the home team. Great to see characters like him watching non-league football.

With a two-goal deficit to close simply to force extra time, Basford needed to show some urgency and, to their credit, started to do so. Perhaps their best chance was a late 25-yard shot by Tyeisse Nightingale which flew past the goal. Even Barcherini went up for a corner near the end. The well-organised Cleethorpes defence did their job.

Disappointment for Basford at full-time and joy for Cleethoropes, winners in their first-ever FA Vase tie. Wonder who they’ll get in Monday’s First Round draw?

Elsewhere, according to Twitter, nine-man Stafford Town endured an FA Vase exit to forget with an 8-0 defeat at Bromsgrove while Brocton scored two late goals to snatch a 3-3 draw against the Cassies and force extra time [Brocton ended up winning 5-3]. Late goals were popular in Stafford as Rangers netted a winner in the 95th minute to defeat FC United of Manchester at Marston Road.

It was a pleasure to visit Basford United. Good luck to them for the rest of the season. Also good luck to Cleethorpes on the ‘road to Wembley’ and I’ll be avidly following the tweets of #NoMoreTeletext. I’m sure I’ll see both clubs again at some point during the season.

Basford United (amber/black/amber): 1. Alessandro Barcherini, 2. David Boafo, 3. Jamie Walker, 4. Ash Dyce (capt), 5. Jack Davies, 6. Martin Holt, 7. Theo Smith, 8. Jermaine Hollis, 9. Cashel Walters, 10. Tyeisse Nightingale, 11. Courtney Hastings. Subs: Martin Carruthers (for Smith, 63), 14. Lee Morris (not used), 15. Wayne Jones (not used), 16. Robert McCormack (for Davies, 28), 17. Kieren Kenton-Bradshaw (for Dyce, 15). Manager: Darren Saunders.

Cleethorpes Town (red/red/red): 1. Scott Drury, 2. Daniel Grant, 3. Lawrence Howard, 4. Richard Peck, 5. Matthew Coleman, 6. Alex Flett, 7. Luke Mascall, 8. Darren Hanslip (capt), 9, Nathan Emson, 10. Brody Robertson, 11. Jonathan Oglesby. Subs: 12. Mark Sawyer (for Oglesby, 83), 14. Marc Cooper (for Robertson, 59), 15. Matthew Oswin (for Hanslip, 88), 16. Lee McFarland (not used), 17. Reece Newell (not used). Manager: Marcus Newell.

Referee: James Thornhill
Assistants: James Oldham and Peter Bailey

Attendance: 74
Duration: first-half: 46:55; second-half: 48:06

Goals:
0-1 Nathan Emson (28)
0-2 Nathan Emson (52)

Cards:
Basford: Tyeisse Nightingale (YC, 67)
Cleethorpes: Alex Flett (YC, 62)

Footnote: Basford manager Darren Saunders resigned three days later after three successful years in charge and Cleethorpes were drawn away to Harborough Town in the First Round draw.

Walsall Wood 0 Guernsey 0

Saturday 2nd March 2013

Stalemate after extra time in the spring-like sunshine at Oak Park, so Walsall Wood face a long trip to Guernsey next Saturday for the right to join Spennymoor Town, Tunbridge Wells and either Shildon or Ascot United in the 2012/13 FA Carlsberg Vase Semi Finals. In what was a tight game from start to finish, Walsall Wood’s Ahmet Bilgimer saw a shot cleared off the line just before half-time while Dave Rihoy hit the bar in extra time for Guernsey and Dominic Heaume missed a ‘sitter’ from the rebound. Both goalkeepers deserved praise for near faultless displays and several vital saves.

Walsall Wood 0 Guernsey 0 (after extra time)
FA Carlsberg Vase Quarter Final
At: Oak Park, Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £2 (32 pages)
Weather: mild and sunny

I could find anywhere in the programme that described today’s game as ‘the biggest in Walsall Wood’s history’ but I guess it undoubtedly was. An appropriate comment I spotted, however, used the phrase ‘record-breaking march on Wembley’. Looking at the club’s complete FA Cup and FA Vase record, I couldn’t find anything to match an FA Vase Quarter Final against a progressive side looking to make progress up the non-league pyramid. The club’s website, however, advertised the game as ‘Wood’s biggest ever game’ and the locals turned out to support the big day.

Considering that Oak Park is only 15 miles from where I’ve lived for all but 11 years of my ‘football life’, it may come as a surprise when I say that my only previous visit to the ground came over 25 years ago in September 1987. A combination in the past of watching Stafford Rangers home and away over numerous seasons, the search for grounds not previously visited, a lengthy spell living in the south-east and a lack of home midweek games this season to fit in with my new policy of watching more local football may be the reasons.

I remember at the time that my previous visit on Saturday 12th September 1987 was seen as one of Walsall Wood’ biggest ever games when Stafford Rangers of the GM Vauxhall Conference side visited an FA Cup tie. Posters advertising the tie emphasised that is was ‘starring Gordon Hill’ who was playing for Stafford that season. The former Manchester United and England winger did play and a crowd of 454 saw Rangers win 3-0 with two goals by the late Malcolm Dunkley and another from Phil Derbyshire.

Enough nostalgia, back to the present….

Today’s tie pitted two sides who are very much in the hunt of top honours in their respective leagues. Walsall Wood (39 points from 17 games) were the last surviving step 6 side and stood in fifth position prior to this afternoon’s league games in the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division. They trailed leaders Bromsgrove Sporting by eight points with a massive ten games in hand. Guernsey (7th position with 45 points from 19 games) also had ten games in hand on the leaders, Epsom & Ewell, and a gap of 15 points to make up. Because the are pushing for promotion to step 4, all fixtures have to be completed by Saturday 4th May so Guernsey will have to play just about every Friday and Sunday.

On arrival at Oak Park around an hour before kick-off, the place was already buzzing with locals turning in great mnumbers to support their local side, groundhoppers who had travelled from far and wide as well as a significant presence of fans wearing the green and white colours of the visitors. I must be famous as one hopper from the High Wycombe area knew my name when I said I lived in Stafford! Thankfully, I avoided the lengthy queue at the gate and got a programme before they sold out. Line-ups were written on a large sheet of paper attached to the clubhouse wall.

Looking around the ground, the stand I remember from 1987 is still in situ on the west side of the pitch. Plenty of work is ongoing to improve the facilities at Oak Park, so it will be interesting to return next season to see the transformation.

Walsall Wood have certainly had a tough route to the Quarter Finals, especially after I saw them defeat Wigan Robin Park in the Third Round back in early January at Sutton Coldfield’s Coles Lane ground. That win earned a home tie against Hanworth Villa but ongoing pitch problems at Oak Park meant it was switched to Villa’s ground. Impressively, Walsall Wood won 3-2 and followed this up with an equally impressive win at Runcorn Town by the odd goal in three after extra time to earn this afternoon’s historic game. The run began in late summer 3-2 giantkilling win in the Second Qualifying Round at Alvechurch and continued with victories over Eccleshall and Shirebrook after a replay.

By kick-off, I recon there must have been over one thousands fans inside Oak Park creating a big-match atmosphere. Hardly a place was left in the old stand with most sat in it wearing the green of Guernsey.

Guernsey (in green and white) got the game underway attacking the far (north) end in the first half. It was Walsall Wood, however, who put the visitors defence under early pressure and Chris Tardiff did well to hold a well-struck shot from Andre Gonzalez at the second attempt. I did hear from someone at Continental Star on Wednesday that Guernsey could be slow starters and this was certainly the case this afternoon.

The ‘green lions’ gradually got into the game and a near-post header from Ross Allen flew across the face of goal.

Walsall Wood were unlucky not to take the lead just before half-time as both excellent defending and goalkeeper kept the scores level. In the 41st minute, Drew Aiton found Ahmet Bilgimer in space on the right inside the area who lifted a shot over Tardiff only to see Dave Rihoy race back to make a goalline clearance. Stood on the side near to the corner flag, I got a perfect view and the well-positioned assistant was spot on in saying ‘no goal’. Some fans around me joked about the need for goalline technology.

Moments before the half-time whistle, Tardiff produced a wonderful reaction save to keep out a close-range shot from Tom Evans.

After chatting with Chris Powell and a couple of other travellers, I decided to find a spot behind the far goal.

Defences remained on top after the interval, so much so that the first decent chance of the second half didn’t come until the 62nd minute. Ross Allen cut in from the left and hit a low shot which the diving Dean Faultless turned round the far post.

In the programme, one contributor mentioned that a number of Walsall Wood legends from 1950s and 1960s were hoping to attend the game. They were given a name check over the PA and received loud applause. I didn’t know that the late Alan Wakeman was a former Walsall Wood manager. He played in goal for Aston Villa just after the War and later worked in the same office as my Dad in Cannock.

Tardiff remained in good form and in the 77th minute turned round a decent shot from Aiton at the expense of a corner. At the other end, Rihoy put Nigel Hutton clear but Faultless raced off his line to block the resulting shot.

Walsall Wood almost won it with virtually the last kick of normal time. Evans crossed from the right into the area where Aiton volleyed straight at Tardiff.

I decided to remain in my spot behind the far goal and Guernsey got extra time under way attacking my end during the first period. Alas, ‘Roary’ decided to sit next to the away dugout rather than join some of the Guernsey fans stood behind the goal their team was attacking.

“C’mon Wood”, the home fans shouted.

I did wonder if tired legs would play a part in extra time and perhaps lead to a goal. Good defending by Lee Stretton prevented Rihoy from getting in a shot after Allen’s initial effort was blocked by Faultless. Walsall Wood then went close again. Lewis Taylor-Boyce beat a defender when cutting in from the left and found Bilgimer who again found Tardiff unbeatable at the near post. Just before half-time of extra time, Faultless kept out a close-range shot with his boot.

Into the second period of extra time and almost a goal for Guernsey in the 113th minute. Rihoy stayed onside down the right and hit a rising shot over Faultless which thumped the underside of the bar. The ball bounced down at the feet of Heaume who somehow scooped his shot over the empty net.

Walsall Wood had one last chance right at the end with seconds remaining. Jamie Hawkins’ corner fell to Aiton who saw his shot well held by Tardiff at the feet Bilgimer. Replay next Saturday evening at the Footes Lane Stadium.

While Guernsey made all three substitutions, Walsall Wood used the same eleven players throughout the entire game.

Walsall Wood are in the ‘hat’ for Monday’s Semi Final draw – incredible for a step 6 side who began the ‘Road to Wembley’ at Alvechurch in the Second Qualifying Round.

I’m pleased to have been at Wood’s biggest-ever game and been part of ‘history being written’. I’ve got good memories of the hundreds of Guernsey fans proudly wearing their green and white colours as well. Top day out!

Walsall Wood (red with white diagonal stripe / red / red): 1. Dale Faultless, 2. Craig Deakin, 3. Tom Evans, 4. Shawn Boothe, 5. Lee Stretton (capt), 6. Danny Forrest, 7. Ahmet Bilgimer, 8. Jamie Hawkins, 9. Lewis Taylor-Boyce, 10. Drew Aiton, 11. Andre Gonzalez. Subs: 12. Michael Murray (not used), 14. Danny Rock (not used), 15. Nathanial Jones (not used), 16. Danny Owen (not used), 17, Chris Lewis (not used). Manager: Mark Swann.

Guernsey (green with white sleeves / white / green): 1. Chris Tardiff, 2. Simon Geall, 3. Jamie Dodd, 4. Sam Cochrane (capt), 5. Alex Le Provost, 6. Scott Bradford, 7. Dave Rihoy, 8. Matt Loaring, 9. Dominic Heaume, 10. Ross Allen, 11. Glyn Dyer. Subs: 12. Jacques Isabelle (for Geall, 80), 13gk. Paul De Garis (not used), 14. Nigel Hutton (for Loaring, 18), 15. Naro Zimmerman (for Dodd, 99). Head Coach: Tony Vance.

Referee: Rob Madley (Wakefield).
Assistants: Tom Neild and Barry Lamb.
Fourth Official: Justin Hayes.

Attendance: 676

Duration (45): first-half: 46:18; second-half: 49:37
Extra time (15): first-period: 15:58; second-period: 17:03

Goals: none

Cards:
Walsall Wood: Jamie Hawkins (YC, 40), Lee Stretton (YC, 90)
Guernsey: Naro Zimmerman (YC, 102)

Walsall Wood 4 Wigan Robin Park 1

Sunday 6th January 2013
Walsall Wood 4 Wigan Robin Park 1
FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round
At: Coles Lane (Sutton Coldfield FC)
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (20 pages)
Weather: mild/cold, cloudy, dry
Attendance: 176
Duration (45): first-half: 46:10; second-half: 52:00 (plus 14 minute delay) 

In a much postponed FA Vase tie switched to the 3G pitch at Coles Lane, Walsall Wood kept the Midland Combination flag flying in the competition by storming into the Fourth Round with a giantkilling 4-1 victory over Wigan Robin Park. Wood scored late in the first half and again on the hour mark to take control before a lengthy delay caused by an injury to referee James Thornhill halted proceedings for around 14 minutes while a replacement assistant was appointed. When play resumed, both sides quickly scored to make it 3-1 and Wood ended any threat of extra time with a late fourth goal. A home tie against Hanworth Villa at Oak Park awaits the successful Walsall Wood side in two weeks time. 

A late decision to head out this afternoon and had kick-off been 2pm rather than 3pm I wouldn’t have had enough time to drive to Coles Lane, park up, buy a programme, get the line-ups and settle down before the action got underway. 

Originally scheduled for Saturday 10th December, the day when Rocester beat Long Eaton 2-1, this much-postponed tie had to be switched from Walsall Wood’s Oak Park ground to Coles Lane to ensure it was played this weekend. The pitch at Coles Lane is a 3G surface, as you’ll know from reading recent blogs of games invloving Sutton Coldfield Town. 

As expected, there were plenty of familiar faces in the crowd including ‘Albion Steve’, ‘Ratty’, Albion Paul’, ‘Cannock Rob’ and ‘Groundhopper Dave’. 

Home side Walsall Wood play in the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division (step 6) like my locals sides Stafford Town and Brocton. While currently in third position (36 points from 15 games), they do have eight games in hand on leaders Bromsgrove Sporting who are just seven points better off. 

Visitors Wigan Robin Park achieved last season what Walsall Wood are striving to achieve this season – gain promotion from step 6 to step 5 of the non-league pyramid. After yesterday’s games, they stood in 15th position in the North-West Counties League Premier Division on 26 points from 21 games. 

Defending the car park end in the first half, Wigan Robin Park (in a change kick of yellow and green) got the game underway but their goalkeeper, Jason Foulds, was soon called into action to turn round a low angled shot from the dangerous Ahmet Bilgimer. 

Both sides made a lively start though the game developed into a midfield contest with defences on top and few decent scoring opportunities. 

However, there was a breakthrough before half-time and it was Lewis Taylor-Boyce who gave Wood a 38th-minute lead. Tom Evans got down the right and crossed low into the area where Taylor-Boyce turned a defender and thumped a close-range shot past Foulds. 

Just before the break, a club official with white hair and glasses announced to my section of the stand that the tie would be decided today with extra time and penalties if necessary. 

Those comments seemed to become irrelevant just before the hour mark when Walsall Wood doubled their lead. Ian Rowlands chopped down Taylor-Boyce inside the area and Jamie Hawkins made no mistake with the resulting penalty. The home side immediately made a change – Scott Cooper replaced Danny Forrest – but the game didn’t resume. Clearly a problem had arise but what? 

Some puzzled looks on the pitch (photo right)and also in the stand; @Sam_Hodkin tweeted to let me know that ‘Injured lino according to the NWCFL Media Officer at the game’. It turned out that referee James Thornhill was unable to continue. After a delay of around 14 minutes, senior assistant Martin Watts took over in the middle and someone from the crowd ran the line.

The delay didn’t harm Wood as they scored a third goal within three minutes of the resumption. A terrible backpass (if indeed it was a backpass) ended up at the feet of Evans who hammered the ball past Foulds from 20 yards out. 

Game over? Well no, as Wigan Robin Park quickly pulled a goal back. Ryan Small crossed low from the left and to the unmarked Joseph Hull in front of goal who steered the ball wide of Dale Faultless into the far right corner of the net. 

Three goals in six minutes though they took 22 minutes to score them! 

Undeterred, Wood kept pushing forward without showing signs of nerves and Foulds kept Wigan’s feign hopes alive with a save to keep out a shot from Bilgimer. 

However, Bilgimer put the outcome beyond doubt with his side’s fourth goal scored in the 81st minute. He chased a seeming lost cause down the left, which lured Foulds out of his area. The striker won the ball, ran towards goal and slotted it into an empty net chased by the goalkeeper. 

The Fourth Round draw is now complete (ties to be played on Saturday 19th January 2013):
Gornal Athletic v Wisbech Town 
Bodmin Town v Ashington 
AFC Emley v Hadleigh United 
Tunbridge Wells v Dunston UTS 
Rye United v Guernsey
Bitton AFC v Shildon 
Larkhall Athletic v Peacehaven & Telscombe 
Brantham Athletic v Whitley Bay 
Newport (IW) v Brighouse Town
Bemerton Heath Harlequins v Blackfield & Langley 
Ampthill Town v Enfield 1893
Ely City v Spalding United 
Spennymoor Town v Lordswood 
Rocester v Runcorn Town
Borrowash Victoria v Ascot United
Walsall Wood v Hanworth Villa 

Walsall Wood (red with white diagonal stripe / red / red): 1. Dale Faultless, 2. Craig Deakin, 3. Tom Evans, 4. Shawn Boothe, 5. Lee Stretton, 6. Danny Forrest, 7. Ahmet Bilgimer, 8. Jamie Hawkins, 9. Lewis Taylor-Boyce, 10. Drew Aiton, 11. Andre Gonzales. Subs: 12. Scott Cooper (for Forrest, 60), 14. Michael Murray (for Hawkins, 84), 15. Tom Howard (not used), 16. Nathanial Jones (not used), 17. Matthew Bennett (for Bilgimer, 90+4). Manager: Mark Swann. 

Wigan Robin Park(yellow/green/yellow): 1. Jason Foulds (capt), 2. Ian Rowlands, 3. Sean White, 4. Stephen Kay, 5. Michael Wood, 6. Colin Quirk, 7. Joseph Hull, 8. Andrew Neafcy, 9. Philip Howard, 10. Ryan Small, 11. Dean Callaway. Subs: 12. Callum Mahoney (for Callaway, 67), 14. Daniel Curren (not used), 15. James Edgar (for Hull, 67), 16. Philip Johnson (not used), 17. Daniel Whiteside (for Neafcy, 39). Manager: John Neafcy. 

Referee: James Thornhill (replaced by senior assistant Martin Watts after 60 minutes).
Assistants: Martin Watts and Robert Massey. 

Goals:
1-0 Lewis Taylor-Boyce (38)
2-0 Jamie Hawkins (59)
3-0 Tom Evans (63)
3-1 Joseph Hull (65)
4-1 Ahmet Bilgimer (81) 

Cards:
Walsall Wood: Danny Forrest (YC, 25)
Wigan Robin Park: none

Rocester 2 Long Eaton United 1

Saturday 8th December 2012
Rocester 2 Long Eaton United 1
FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round
At: Hillsfield
Kick-off: 3-00 pm
Admission: £5; Programme: £1 (28 pages)
Weather: sunny, dry
Attendance: 147
Duration: first-half: 48:19; second-half: 49:00 

The Romans continued their march towards Wembley with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Long Eaton United and now eagerly await Monday’s Fourth Round draw. Before the biggest crowd of the season for a competitive game at Hillsfield, they took the lead though Mensah Kinch just after the half-hour mark but Matt Savage equalised for the Blues in stoppage time. Savage then found the net again (wrong one this time) in the 64th minute and his own goal proved to be Rocester’s winner. 

The phrase ‘the biggest game since…’ is often over-used and today it really did apply to Rocester’s biggest game in the FA Vase since the 1986/87 season. Back then, the Romans won six ties in progressing to the last 16 of the competition 25 years ago before bowing out against Garforth Town at Eastwood Hanley’s ground. That was their first season in the competition and since then successive Rocester teams haven’t able been able to emulate Alan Beaman’s side with just the odd highlight along the way. 

This season’s Vase run began with a 2-1 win at Sporting Khalsa, with has been followed by victories over Castle Vale JKS (4-0 at Hillsfield), Bewdley Town (also 4-0 at Hillsfield) and Shepshed Dynamo (3-1 away). With potential Third Round opponents being holders Dunston UTS, Vase specialists Whitley Bay and AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Rocester were given a home tie against either Southam United or Long Eaton United. This much-postponed tie was finally settled as recently as Tuesday with Long Eaton winning 1-0 at Coventry Sphinx’s ground. 

Visits by me to Hillsfield have been more frequent this season and, as usual, Secretary Barry Smith kindly provided me with a teamsheet and one was also pinned up next to the tea bar hatch. Today’s visit was my 15th to the ground which moves into joint-seventh position on the list of my most-visited alongside Altrincham’s Moss Lane and Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough. 

1. Stafford Rangers (Marston Road) 604+
2. Sheffield United (Bramall Lane) 24
3. Stafford Town (Evans Park) 22
4= Aldershot (Recreation Ground) 17
4= Hednesford Town (Cross Keys old ground) 17
4= Port Vale (Vale Park) 17
7= Altrincham (Moss Lane) 15
7= Rocester (Hillsfield) 15
7= Sheffield Wednesday (Hillsborough) 15
10= Bath City (Twerton Park) 14
10= Hednesford Town (Keys Park new ground) 14
10= Wembley Stadium (old twin towers) 14
One day I’ll explain why the Blades, Shots and Owls feature in this ‘top 12’. 

While there was a difference in league games played and points gained, the points-per-game-average (1.5 v 1.7) showed a similarity in league fortunes this season between Rocester (13th in the Midland Alliance with 21 points from 14 games) and Long Eaton (10th in the Northern Counties East league Premier Division with 34 points from 20 games). 

As Rocester’s last two games were abandoned and a trip to Coventry Sphinx postponed, they were without Darren Bullock and Jack Langston who both had not been able to complete their suspensions in time to feature this afternoon. Craig Holland was at the game today as he begins his recovery from a broken leg while leading scorer Edwin Akenkorah was only fit enough for a place amongst the substitutes. 

Rocester (in amber and black) got the game underway attacking the mill end in the first half and had the ball in the back of the net after just 58 seconds. Mensah Kinch flicked the ball into the path of Ryan Grocott who fired home, only to be flagged offside. 

Chris Sterling sent a decent chance wide of the target from Ryan Pirrie’s pass before Long Eaton gave the Romans a couple of warning shots. On the quarter hour, Danny Gordon broke down the left into area but Richard Froggatt got down to save the resulting shot. Matt Savage was also given the space to get forward with the ball and he fired wide past the diving Froggatt. 

The Romans, however, took the lead in the 33rd minute with a big slice of good fortune. From a move down the left, Sterling on the left side of the area shot towards got and the ball cannoned off Kinch and flew into the left side of the net. This was the first goal that Long Eaton had conceded in this year’s Vase. 

Froggatt did well to keep out a low shot from Gordon but Long Eaton equalised in first-half stoppage time. Carl Allen headed a deep left-wing cross from Kial Thurman out for a corner which was delivered into the area by Gordon. The ball was partially cleared to Michael Armstrong who crossed it back into the area for Savage to head home. 

Rocester threatened early in the second half and Grocott sent a 25-yarder over the bar. 

Just after the hour mark, Kinch on the left hit an angled shot towards the near post where Long Eaton goalkeeper Scott Miles saved at the expense of a corner. Grocott delivered it to the near post where Savage, under pressure from Darren Alexander, could only deflect the ball into his own net. 

Sat in the stand during the second half, I couldn’t help being impressed by the encouragement given by three supporters near me: “C’mon Rocester, you can do it, get another goal”. Like them I wanted a third goal to settle the nerves. 

That third goal almost came in the 80th minute. Grocott found Nick Ward who drove against the bar from 30 yards out. The ball flew into the area and dropped agonisingly out for a goal kick. 

Needing just one goal to send the tie into extra time, Long Eaton forced Rocester to defend during the closing stages. Danny Chambers sent a free header wide of the near post from Gordon’s corner and, as the visitors threw men forward, Jacob Webster hooked a shot over the bar.

Long Eaton had one last opportunity in stoppage time but Froggatt leapt to hold a long throw propelled into a packed area. And that was it. 

The win pocketed the Romans £1500 in prize money and they can look forward to exemption to the Second Round of next year’s competition (if it follows the same pattern as this season). 

Rocester (amber and black stripes / black / black): 1. Richard Froggatt, 2. Ryan Pirrie, 3. Carl Allen, 4. Joe Rogers, 5. Wayne Johnson (capt), 6. Chris Sterling, 7. Nick Ward, 8. Dean Bromley, 9. Mensah Kinch, 10. Adam Swain, 11. Ryan Grocott. Subs: 12. Darren Alexander (for Bromley, 59), 14. Dan McLeod (for Grocott, 90+3), 15. Robert Perks (not used), 16. Darren Leonard (not used), 17. Edwin Ahenkorah (for Kinch, 74). 

Long Eaton United (red/red/red): 1. Scott Miles, 2. Mark Littlewood, 3. Adam Holmes, 4. Michael Armstrong (capt), 5. Kial Thurman, 6. Jacob Webster, 7. Shay Wiggins, 8. Darryl Hawkins, 9. Matt Savage, 10. Kelvin Mushambi, 11. Danny Gordon. Subs: 12. Danny Chambers (for Hawkins, 72), 14. Zak Hilton (for Wiggins, 78), 15. Cameron Martin (for Mushambi, 82). 

Referee: J. Hull (Bramhall).
Assistants: D. Deakin (Bramhall) and W. Smith (Stockport). 

Goals:
1-0 Mensah Kinch (33)
1-1 Matt Savage (45+2)
2-1 Matt Savage (64 og) 

Cards:
Rocester: Nick Ward (YC, 61)
Long Eaton: Michael Armstrong (YC, 66), Mark Littlewood (YC, 78), Jacob Webster (YC, 90+2)