Glossop North End 1, Formby 0
FA Vase Second Qualifying Round
Match Report: Jonathan Haggart Pictures: Jim Lockwood
The Hillmen progressed into the 1st Round Proper of the FA Vase at Surrey Street on Saturday with a last gasp winner against their fellow NWCFL team Formby, debutant Kyle Riley netting the vital goal just as second half injury time began.
It wasn’t a great game, and neither side hit the heights they are capable of. That probably says much about the experience of both defences who smothered just about everything that was thrown at them. In any case what matters is to be in the hat for the draw on Monday morning and North End will be delighted to have a numbered ball allocated to them.
Chris Willcock handed a debut to new signing Matthew Russell, slotting in at left back for the injured Harry Bockerie, whilst Jamie Kay moved into the centre of midfield. Formby meanwhile were so short of fit players that they only had one substitute, and would have been worried in the 5th minute when Luke Holden went down for lengthy treatment.
The game started slowly, with Glossop dominating the possession without finding clear openings in Formby’s resolute defence. Both Alex Byrne and Jamie Kay had shots from distance, although it was Russell who caused the most panic when his angled drive when just over the corner of the bar. At this stage Formby were offering little, Ben Proctor not having a touch with his hands until the 20th minute.
On the 21st minute though Formby did fashion the best chance on goal so far when Holden’s 25 yard shot moved in the air and Proctor could only parry it out into the danger area, however Dave Young was the most alert and cleared.
The visitors seemed to be relying on set pieces, their tactic appeared to be to over-hit the ball only for someone to nod it back across goal into the danger area. It nearly worked too but White got underneath the ball when it looked easier to score.
In the second half possession of the ball changed constantly from team to team as resolute defences and stern midfield play stopped most forward progression for both sides. Glossop tried to freshen things up with substitutes on the hour, and for a spell it worked as Byrne volleyed wide, Dave Young forced a great save from O’Connell from a long shot and Paul Cliff headed first over the bar and then wide with a diving header.
Meanwhile, the speedy Adegbenro was offering Formby’s attacking threat and he went close with a low shot when played behind the defence and again in the 74th minute when rare errors from Lincoln Adams and Young combined to put him one-on-one with Proctor. His shot beat the keeper but not the bar and bounced down to be collected in Proctor’s grateful arms.
When Jamie Kay’s 88th minute shot from 25 yards was tipped over the bar extra time and penalties looked inevitable, but there was to be one final twist. Andy Kilheeney played the ball out left for Cliff appearing to give him a chance to shoot. However a poor first touch sent him towards the by-line and he had drawn the keeper towards him who had expected to block an effort towards goal. As it was, Cliff was able to cross the ball backwards towards Riley, whose deft flicked touch – the cross was slightly behind him – turned the ball into the empty net, much to the relief of the home fans.
