FA Cup Second Qualifying Round 28 September 2013

WEST AUCKLAND TOWN v SKELMERSDALE UNITED

Blue skies and sunshine at the newly labelled Seagrave Stadium but the air is pleasantly cool and still, giving perfect FA Cup conditions. The mild September has kept the grass green and lush with only the unique contours of the Darlington Road pitch preventing comparison with the proverbial billiard table.

West Auckland are taking on an opponent from two steps up the pyramid, but having defeated the similarly placed Whitby in the last round, they will not be overawed. During the handshake ritual the Skelmersdale team, wearing all blue, look noticeably smaller than the West Auckland players, in their amber and black; particularly Hall who towers over everyone.

West choose to play uphill in the first half, requiring 50 or so Skem fans to relocate to behind the downhill goal. They are barely in place before West’s striker Moffat links up with teammate Carr, who moves unchallenged to the edge of the Skem box and drills a shot into the  bottom corner of the net to give the home team a first minute lead.

Four minutes later the Skem defence again stand off as West’s other striker, Campbell cuts in a few step from the left wing before curling a fine right foot shot that beats the keeper but canons off the inside of the far post.

After their slow start Skelmersdale start to build attacks and the tricky Leadbetter creates some space on the edge of the West box but his shot is deflected for a corner; when this is taken keeper Nixon gathers well. West respond when Moffat’s cunning back-heel gives Briggs a chance that he shoots wide.

Skelmersdale centre forward Hughes looks quick and is playing right on, or usually just over, the offside line; he does get away once and outstrips both the West defence and Nixon rushing from his line, but is driven sufficiently wide for Hall to get back and stretch out a long leg to block his shot on goal. West get their chance when Campbell is clattered by McIntosh; the resulting free kick is aimed at the giant Hall but is just glanced over his head for a corner. This too is aimed at Hall who wins the leap but heads just wide.

There appears less danger when Campbell receives a bouncing ball 25 yards out with his back to goal; however he calmly hooks the ball over the keeper and into the goal. Hibbert, stranded off his line, looks forlorn having let in two goals and had a post rattled inside twenty minutes and otherwise has barely touched the ball.

His team up the effort and put on pressure but balls into the box are all being won by West defenders or caught by Nixon. A free kick, softly won, is wantonly hit dead. On the break Carr is also profligate, unable to repeat his opening goal, this time scuffing a shot wide. He then wins a corner with a blocked shot; leading to two more as Skem struggle to cope with their taller opponents; from the third Moffat heads in but the effort is disallowed for a push.

Skem press hard for something to take in at half time but once more it is the West defenders that are winning the crosses, whether they come in high or low.

At half time West are deservedly in front; there is no indication of any gap in class. They are pressing well all over the pitch, are first to the ball in their own box, and have class up front with Moffat’s tricks and flicks coming off and Campbell’s finishing looking predatory. Also Hall looks like scoring at every corner. Skelmersdale rarely threaten other than with a through ball to Hughes who continues to be offside more often than not. But at two up West must not get complacent - in this round last year West were two down to Harrogate Town and looking second best, yet scored twice in the last ten minutes to earn a replay.

The second half starts in similar fashion to the first with Carr beating the offside trap and racing in on Hibbert who spreads himself and saves with an elbow. Skem breathe a sigh of relief and build up some pressure leading to a high ball that Nixon catches before being bundled into, spilling it into the net. Referee rules a foul, but the pressure continues.

This is relieved with a long clearance out to the right wing where Campbell, on the half way line, lifts it over the full backs head, leaving him fruitlessly claiming a high foot, and races towards goal. He is pursued by two or three defenders, but they cannot catch him, and as Hibbert comes out to narrow the angle Campbell slots the ball past him and into the net. It’s a fine goal, even better than his opportunistic first, and a body blow to Skem just six minutes into the half.

Credit to Skem, they keep plugging away: Leadbetter wins a free kick but hits it straight into the wall; Hughes beats the offside trap but Nixon gathers the through ball before he can get to it; and then their best chance occurs when Hughes again breaks free. This time he gets to the ball ahead of Nixon who does get manage to something in the way, but only to deflect it towards Leadbetter. His sidefoot towards the open goal may or may not have been going in, but Nixon and Hall heroically throw themselves back across goal and block the attempt.

This spell is definitely Skem’s best and Hughes is again put clean through only to be foiled as Nixon stands up and blocks.

But with only 15 minutes left time is not on their side, and West remain potentially lethal on the break. Briggs sets up Carr for a shot that hits the far post and bounces along the goal line before centre half McIntosh heads behind for a corner. This comes over from the left and is flapped at by Hibbert, landing at Moffat’s feet. He drills it low and hard back through the crowded six yard box, untouched into the centre of the goal. So that is now 4-0 and game over.

A shot straight from the kick-off is a measure of Skem’s frustration; it sails wide. They get a better chance when a corner bobbles around before a short range shot is smashed into Nixon’s chest and cleared.

With a minute to go Moffat is replaced by new signing Wright, and when a free kick opportunity arises on the edge of the box, Carr lines it up but sportingly lets Wright have a crack. His effort is low and hard enough to squeeze under Hibbert’s dive for the icing on West Auckland’s cake.

At the final whistle Skelmersdale drift off disconsolately in ones and twos while the whole West Auckland squad congregate and congratulate each other in the centre circle before leaving to an ovation from the home fans. Five nil plus two against the woodwork is impressive and they will look forward to the next round more than whoever is drawn against them.

FA Vase Second Qualifying Round 21 September 2013

MARSKE UNITED V KNARESBOROUGH TOWN

Today we are at Mount Pleasant (currently labelled the GER Stadium) for a look at Marske United who are flying, unbeaten in the Northern League division 1 and already through 4 rounds of the Cup and Vase. Marske is a pretty little town on the East Cleveland coast and the family friendly ground echoes it; on entering there is a mown grassy bank, flowerbeds and refreshment trailer, with a goal net off to one side for lads and dads to kick into. Good value too at £2.50 entry (concession) and a meaty programme for a pound.

It’ a lovely day at the seaside, blue sky behind high clouds, warm with a pleasant breeze blowing down the flat, well grassed pitch. There are just three rows of covered seats and a couple of covered standing areas; with no spectator area more than 10 yards from the pitch it will be up close and personal with the players.

The visitors, in red shirts and black shorts, are Knaresborough Town from the second level of the Northern Counties East League, one step below their hosts whose strip consists of yellow shirts and blue shorts.

After an initial flurry from Knaresborough it is Marske that have the majority of possession and they pose the first goal threat when Butterworth sets MacDonald away down the right; his high and deep cross is headed by centre half Wheatley, on an excursion up front, but straight at keeper Dight.

Knaresborough’s threat is on the break with centre forward Heath camped on the shoulder of the last defender. After two offside decisions it pays off when a 1-2 with Whitehead puts him clear on goal, only for a back-rushing defender to make a desperate lunge from behind to clatter Heath but get a toe to the ball and concede a corner. A good outcome for Marske as it could quite easily been a penalty and down to 10 men. Predictably the visiting fans reckon the ref bottled it and from then on is labelled a “homer”.

Marske’s next attempt comes from right back Crossen who cuts in and thumps a left footer just over the bar; his opposite number Thomas goes one better with a Knaresborough free kick from 35 yards that whistles straight and hard and just a tad high, even so keeper Dean plays safe and tips it over for a corner.

As the half progresses Marske centre forward Alexander gets more into the action. First a Crossen interception gives him a chance from the edge of the box and though his shot is low and hard, Dight goes full stretch to push it past the post. Then he combines again with Crossen only to see the latter’s shot blocked. Finally as the half expires he is at the right place at the right time as the ball is cut back for MacDonald to fire a first time shot into the crowded penalty area; Alexander coolly diverts the ball with a side foot volley into the net from 6 yards.

Knaresborough are disappointed not to have held on until half time but are immediately back under pressure. Stansfield ploughs through the back of Alexander to concede a free kick and finally earn a booking; then Dight has to fist clear a corner from underneath his bar and recover to dive and gather the following cross at the foot of the near post.

A half time lead slightly flatters Marske who have made hard work of it, or have been made to work hard, depending on your point of view. As the half wore on their midfield pair of Gott and Butterworth took increased control, particularly as their colleague Johnston has occupied Knaresborough’s assistant manager and midfield general, Stansfield, in a physical battle that both clearly relish. Knaresborough’s chief threat is from balls over or behind the Marske back four with Heath and Wright both looking dangerous and both feeling aggrieved with some of the methods, unchecked by the referee, used to stop them.

Both teams are out and lined up early and stand bemused as the referee and assistants fail to appear for 2 or 3 minutes. When the second half does get underway it is Knaresborough that have early efforts. Heath wins the ball, turns ad shoots wide from well out then one of left back Radcliffe’s long throws is punched off the line by Dean. From the resulting corner centre half Lenehan gets a header in but Dean is able to gather it at the foot of the post.

This one goal lead is looking fragile for Marske, but the substitution of the influential Stansfield gives some relief. When Butterworth is fouled 20 yards out on the right, it is left back O’Sullivan who comes over to take the free kick. His left footer is up and over the wall and into the net before Dight can get anywhere near it.

More substitutions are made and Marske look a bit more comfortable at 2-0. Alexander wins the ball in the corner and drives along the bye line, but his shot is saved. From the cleared corner Butterworth shoots, but again Dight saves. From a soft free kick Johnston, no longer tied up with Stansfield, puts a header just over.

But Knaresborough are not rolling over just yet, some pressure leads to the Marske defence creating uncharacteristic havoc in their own goalmouth that eventually requires the ball to be cleared off the line. Then battling work by right back Thomas, epitomising his own faultless performance, provides a shooting opportunity for Whitehead, who hits it wide.

Marske respond as Johnston puts Butterworth through on goal; his shot is knocked back to him by Dight but the midfielder can only put the rebound over the bar. Back up the other end a couple of set plays threaten; but Dean finally catches one of Radcliffe’s long throws, and then a free kick bobbles about in the Marske box before a skied shot ends the danger.

The hard fought match ends 2-0, and though Knaresborough go off still grumbling about the early penalty shout they will probably concede the home team just edged the play and scored a couple of good goals. Marske continue their unbeaten season and can look forward to featuring further in A Good Cup Run.

FA Cup First Qualifying Round 14 September 2013

SPENNYMOOR TOWN v LANCASTER CITY

We are at Brewery Field, where last season A Good Cup Run reported five wins in the FA Vase on the way to the Wembley triumph. But today it is a different prospect in the FA Cup and the Brewers are up against Lancaster City from the NPL Division 1. Spennymoor are aiming for promotion to that league, so this is a good test; particularly as Lancaster have started the season unbeaten in their seven games.

It’s a fine September day with high cloud and no wind; the grass is green and the crowd is tidy, with lots of kids sporting their replica shirts from last May. There is a vocal presence from Lancashire as well and a couple of banners heralding the “Dolly Blues” - a strange nickname behind which must lie a tale, but of which the programme offers no clue.

The pitch still has the familiar slope and the teams still come out to Dire Straits, but Spennymoor have a new strip with a thick black crusader-like cross on their white shirts. Lancaster City look very stylish in yellow shirts and blue shorts each trimmed with the opposite colour. They have won the toss and elect to play uphill in the first half.

After a delayed kick off  - after years of inspecting nets before kick off a linesman has actually found a problem, quickly solved with gaffer tape – there is ten minutes of scrappy play as the teams battle for possession. Then Spennymoor gain a bit of control with Peacock finding space on the left, leading to a free kick that Graydon screws wide.

Lancaster respond and win a corner on the left. Spennymoor are slow to get organised and mainly stand and stare as the ball comes over and is diverted firmly into the net by the head of Lancaster centre half Steel.

The home team shrug off the goal and press forward again. Ruddy is effective on the right wing and on 30 minutes wins a free kick on the edge of the box. Graydon’s effort deflects off the wall for a corner. From this Ruddy again gets on the ball and beats his man to cross dangerously to the far post, but the header there is too weak. As half time approaches Spennymoor fade slightly and Lancaster get in a few attacks without threatening the goal.

At half time the only thing separating the teams is a sloppy preparation for a corner. Spennymoor’s two up front are big and strong, but Lancaster’s two at the back are bigger and stronger, and proving more than capable of holding their own. The injured “Titch” Cogden would have given them a different problem, as has the diminutive Ruddy out wide. Lancaster are not showing much up front but, having snatched the lead, don’t have to.

Despite plating uphill Spennymoor dominate the opening exchanges of the second half; Graydon finds Peacock in the box but his on-target shot is well saved by Lancaster keeper Hale. Hale is also proving good on crosses and corners so Spennymoor need new ideas. Manager Ainsley replaces Peacock and Ruddy, who have both played well, with Phillips and Walton who at least have fresh legs.

When Spennymoor centre forward Henderson chases a lost cause and wins the ball, it’s Phillips who’s on hand to drive into the box from the left; his shot from a narrow angle is blocked by the steady Hale. A further change up front brings on Taylor for Davison, but the only immediate result is a hopeful, and unsuccessful, claim for a penalty as a shot hits a Lancaster body in the box.

Lancaster’s excursions down to the Spennymoor end are becoming rare, but one such visit gains them a corner and gives the defence some discomfort before the loose ball is eventually headed harmlessly wide. The visitors are concentrating on holding what they have and winding the clock down at every opportunity.

Entering the last quarter of an hour Spennymoor put a slick move together with Taylor, Henderson and Walton combining well to bring another save out of Hale. From the corner a Henderson header lands on top of the bar and bounces over.

Spennymoor pressure grows, another handball claim for a penalty is dismissed, but Lancaster finally seem a bit rattled. The central midfield duo of Mahoney and Jackson both get shirty with the referee and are booked within minutes. Mahoney recovers his composure to take a free kick on the edge of the Spennymoor box but sends it just over the bar.

Four added minutes are announced, disappointing given the timewasting tactics of the visitors, and about three of these are spent in close proximity to a corner flag. Finally Spennymoor get the ball upfield where full back White thumps a thirty yarder straight at the keeper. Moments later Henderson goes down under a challenge to win a soft free kick, a last chance? It’s hoiked into the box but all that results is a corner – another last chance? The corner is headed out then fired back in, striking a defender and eliciting a third penalty shout from players and fans behind the goal. The referee’s whistle blows – but it is for the end of the game.

Lancaster City have held out and progress, not very convincingly, into the next round. It is the end of Spennymoor’s FA Cup run, but they have had the better of the play and have shown themselves good enough for the NPL should they get promotion. And there is still the Vase to come.

FA Vase First Qualifying Round 10 September 2013

JARROW ROOFING V THORNABY

Having missed the Saturday games due to a weekend in Scarborough with the other love of my life I thought the FA Vase cup run had fallen at the first hurdle. However due to the after-effects of the Friday downpour the game at the Boldon Community Association Sports Ground was postponed to tonight.

It means a 40 minute drive up the A19 and eschewing the live TV coverage of England’s world cup qualifier in the Ukraine; but life is all about choices and this one is not too difficult – I suspect there will be more action in Boldon than Kiev. It is £6 to get in (I’m considered a whippersnapper in these parts so no concession) and £1.50 for a programme, “The Roofer”, which turns out to be bright, glossy and informative.

Spectators are sparse around the ground, which has some unusual features that testify to its DIY construction by the founder, chairman, treasurer and co-manager Ritchie McLoughlin. All along one touchline there is cover, more a veranda than a stand, with a single row of bench seats and room to stand behind. Opposite is a small grandstand with tiered seating, badly weathered and with puddles still on the seats (although the roof, appropriately, seems sound enough).

No cover needed tonight though as it is clear but cool with a fresh autumnal breeze blowing as Jarrow in blue with yellow trim face up to Thornaby in all red. Both teams play in the second division of the Northern League so it should be an even match up.

From the start Thornaby look the more comfortable in possession, but after seven minutes it’s Roofing’s centre forward Appleby who creates the first danger. He gets forward and crosses from the left; teammate Gardiner and Thornaby keeper Duff coincide at the near post, but both fail to connect and the ball runs on to Marshall who taps into the unguarded net from close range.

Thornaby continue to push forward and Johnson, latching on to a good long ball, angles in on goal but can’t find a way past Roofing keeper Regan who blocks well. A couple of minutes later Regan takes a free kick on the edge of his box that carries to the other penalty area; Thornaby centre half Bishop goes to meet it but inexplicably allows the ball to squirm under his foot. Appleby accepts the gift by taking the ball round the keeper and slotting home.

Thornaby are playing well despite being 2-0 down. Murphy and Pearson are slick in midfield; Edwards and O’Mahoney look skilful out wide with pace, control and, in O’Mahoney’s case, an eye-catching step-over. It is he who creates space on the right for a cross which he stands up to the far post only for centre forward Melvin to blaze over.

Roofing are more prosaic in their play; once again it is a big kick from Regan that creates danger when it is allowed to bounce in the Thornaby box. The shot on target is saved for a corner; and when that comes over it leads to a volley that skims the bar.

It’s end to end stuff now. Roofing’s keeper and centre half get in a tangle on the edge of the box, but before Melvin can capitalise keeper Regan blocks with his feet. Straight down the other end another long ball bypasses the centre of the Thornaby defence requiring Duff to save again. When it’s Thornaby’s turn to attack, neat play down the left gets full back Morrison to the bye line and his pull back finds Melvin, who controls the ball before hitting it sweetly into the net.

The 2-1 scoreline stays that way to half time despite goalmouth action at both ends. Thornaby’s passing and movement deserve better than to be behind, but their defensive errors got their just desserts. Roofing are more muscular and direct; not just hitting long balls (though they have proved effective) but getting crosses over at the earliest opportunity.

The first ten minutes of the second half are spent entirely in the Roofing half as Thornaby put everything into getting an equaliser. Roofing weather the storm; with Kirkup and Leighton, in the centre of the defence, solid and quick to snuff out chances.

Gradually Roofing regain a share of possession and territory, and the game evens out. A flurry of substitutions mid-way through the half seems to favour them and left wing McDonald in particular becomes prominent in a couple of breaks, with shots across and over the goal.

As the game enters its last ten minutes Thornaby try to mount a last push. The best chance comes from a disputed throw-in which enables Johnson to take the defence unawares; but his attempt to knock the ball past the advancing keeper is weak. A final Thornaby substitution leaves just three at the back, and desperate efforts up front. Pearson is too desperate with a lunging tackle which leaves Gardiner writhing and the Roofing bench agitated. Yellow card about right; but Roofing’s Appleby thinks it deserves a bit more and takes Pearson down from behind, earning his own caution.

It remains tense and tasty into added time, when a clearance rebounds to Appleby, who is in the clear, though apparently not offside. He repeats his first half trick of dancing round the keeper to score easily and finish off the tie.

At the final whistle Thornaby continue to complain about the third goal – was it not off side, shouldn’t the scorer have been sent off for the cynical foul moments before – but the fact of the matter is that it was their inability to score a second goal that really settled the tie.

So Jarrow Roofing go on to the next round to meet Willington, while I get into the car to catch the last minutes of the England game on the radio. By all account it has been a poor game with few shots and no goals. In contrast the FA Vase has dished up a competitive game with some good football and plenty of goalmouth action; good choice!

FA Cup Preliminary Qualifying Round 31 August 2013

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA v BRIGHOUSE TOWN

The FA cup weather is back on form with the day at Central Avenue fine and sunny, but with a fresh breeze blowing the length of the cavernous but exposed cantilever stand. The rest of the ground is an open oval with the lush green pitch surrounded by the red shale track and grassy banking rising up to trees and bushes.

The scene is well set for what should be a competitive game; Northern League v Northern Counties East League is an even match up so it’s all to play for. Synthonia are in their distinctive green and white quarters and Brighouse wear road-mender orange shirts and black shorts.

The early play is dominated by Brighouse with both Matthew and Boafo looking skilful and quick as they are fed balls down the channels. Synthonia keeper Briggs is soon in action, pushing a free kick from Naidole past the post then, as the resulting a corner produces a goal mouth scramble, falling on the ball as it threatens to roll over the line.

Minutes later Naidole gets a second go from the same spot but this time Briggs gets two fists to the shot to punch well clear. However it continues to be largely one-way traffic. Matthew glides in from the left and slips a pass through to Boafo 10 yards from goal. Briggs is out at his feet and gets something in the way, but the ball continues to loop goalwards. A defender stretches out a despairing boot and manages to slice the ball narrowly over the bar.

Having survived the first quarter, Synthonia start to string a few passes together. A corner is achieved; then after half an hour a good move down the left sees Porritt backheel to Osmond, who crosses for Fowler to dive full length but head wide.

Brighouse respond and create a couple of chances without forcing Briggs into further heroics. At the other end Brighouse keeper Giles makes his first save as a Porritt cross is headed straight at him by Magowan. His next foray into the action is less distinguished as his shout of “keepers” proves over-optimistic as he gets nowhere near the long diagonal cross. The ball bounces around in the box but no Synthonia player can take advantage and the danger passes.

The half time verdict is 0-0 but plenty of action. Brighouse’s early supremacy has faded as the Synthonia defence came to terms with the mobile Brighouse forwards. Synthonia’s best route seems to be via Porritt down the left with crosses for Magowan and Jameson to attack. Brighouse look most dangerous when their eye-catching captain, left back Henry, pushes forward with pace and power. They still look the most likely to break the deadlock.

Brighouse reinforce this belief as they make an attacking start to the second half. Boafo, Naidole, and Matthew all have early shots; one blocked by a defender and two saved by Briggs. Then, ten minutes into the half, Brighouse midfielder Mitchell’s shot is blocked and ricochets around before falling to Matthew. He controls the ball, manoeuvres it around the diving Briggs, and rolls it into the goal for a deserved lead.

This prompts Synthonia make a change, bringing on Wilson for Fowler; and Brighouse follow suite with Ryan for Gibson. Synthonia seem to gain most from the changes and start to build pressure. A good move puts Magowan through but his low hard shot is very well saved by Giles. Porritt turns his full back inside-out but then can’t find a colleague in the box. He’s then fed a great ball through the middle, but before he can control the high bouncing ball he is bundled over by a Brighouse defender. “Penalty” shout the home crowd, but the ref rules legitimate challenge to a chorus of boos.

The Synthonia necessary focus on attack leaves them open to the counter and Brighouse’s Henry surges forward, finds Ryan who then switches it to Matthew, who’s clear in the box but shoots wide with only the keeper to beat. A closer effort comes in from Boafo, 30 yards out, which skims the bar.

Synthonia keep attacking regardless; they are winning all the headers in the box, from crosses and corners, but can’t get them on target. With five minutes to go Brighouse break clear, and with four against three work a man in against the keeper. Briggs saves once then again from the rebound to confirm his Synthonia man of the match performance.

His teammates look spent and struggle to get the ball off Brighouse; when they do, they lose it immediately and then commit a foul to get it back. A slick free kick move from Brighouse gets the ball in the net but the linesman’s flag keeps the home fans faint hopes alive. Briggs does the same when he again rushes out to smother a shot.

Into time added on and a long hopeful Synthonia punt up-field from Burton mysteriously finds Magowan free in the box. The ball bounces up off the springy turf but this time he gets a toe end to it before keeper Giles can intervene, and the ball rolls into the goal for a late, late, and barely deserved equaliser.

Brighouse can’t believe it, and the home fans look a bit sheepish as they troop out, but Tuesday is another day and the replay is another game that gives both a chance to continue their cup run, with a home tie the reward.