FA Vase
3rd Round
Snow is still lying on most grounds in the
North East but the 3G pitch at Bishopton Road West was made for days like these
and this third round Vase tie was never in danger. This far into the competition
is new territory for the hosts who have stabilised in the Northern League
Division 1 after a shaky start following promotion and will look to make the customary
progress for members of that league.
Everything is new territory for the visitors
as this is only their second ever season, waltzing through step six last season
to reach the North West Counties Premier Division. Judging from the size of the
travelling support, the team clearly has filled a non-league void on Merseyside.
The fans clad in purple (a mix of red and blue that is surely not coincidental)
bring a good natured passion along with klaxon horns, a loudhailer, and even a
rattle. One banner sums up their approach, claiming the club is “a failed AA
meeting disguised as a football club”.
But it is Stockton who start best forcing two
early corners, one resulting from a fierce drive from Kevin Hayes that is just
tipped over by keeper Graeme McCall. Liverpool survive the onslaught and settle
to achieve an even share of the game.
However on twenty minutes the tricky Hayes
exchanges passes with centre forward Fred Woodhouse and when the latter sends
in a low angled drive, keeper McCall lets the ball squirm under his body and
into the net.
Liverpool respond well to going behind, playing
neatly through midfield but failing to get the better of the Stockton defence,
meaning home keeper Michael Arthur rarely needs to do more than catch the odd
cross. It is his opposite number who is worked next, diving to a bottom corner
to turn away a Max Craggs free kick. Up front for Liverpool Elliot Nevitt is
busy and has a good effort charged down; the rebound goes to John McGrath who
spurns the chance.
There has been a good ebb and flow to the
first half with each teams having periods of ascendancy. Liverpool have edged
possession and territory but Stockton have looked the more likely to score.
From the restart Liverpool up the intensity,
and go slightly more direct. Chances come quickly: Nevitt wins a chase for a
through ball but slices the shot; McGrath has a shot saved; centre half Daniel
Dalton, up for a corner heads just wide; and another corner is headed wide by
Nevitt. Stockton weather the storm and eventually the chances start to dry up.
Woodhouse even makes the best of his limited opportunities up front to fire in
a shot straight at McCall.
Substitutes come and go as Liverpool
increase the numbers up front. A snap shot by John Connolly is deflected over
and a chance in the box is scuffed wide by Jack Hazelhurst. By the end Dalton has
moved up front and even keeper McCall comes up for a corner. Amid the stoic defending
Chris Stockton breaks out for his namesake team and smacks a drive against the
Liverpool post.
A late knock to the Stockton keeper’s head
ensures the last few minutes extend to rack up the tension, but Stockton hold
out and, thanks largely to their defenders’ quality and their opponents erratic
finishing.
Even newer territory now awaits Stockton in
the last thirty-two when the competition goes national. City of Liverpool
return to Merseyside with respect and no doubt they will feature in later
rounds in years to come.
