Season 2017/18 - Semi-Finals

Saturday 17^th March – First Leg

Brackley Town 1 Wealdstone 0

A Gudger strike four minutes from time saw hosts Brackley Town take a slender lead into the second leg of their semi final tie with Wealdstone after they edged a tight first leg encounter at St James Park in Northamptonshire.

The first chance of the game fell to the hosts in just the second minute when Ndlovu squared the ball to Armson but he put his effort over the bar, and in the 22^nd minute came Wealdstone’s first dangerous attacking moment when Tiryaki put in a dangerous low cross but Lewis in the hosts goal got an important touch on the cross and it was cleared.

On the half hour mark a goalmouth scramble inside the Stones area was eventually cleared to Byrne on the edge of the box, but he could only send his effort over, and then moments later Walker sent a cross into the Stones area which deflected goalwards of Ndlovu, however North was alert to it and held on well.

Wealdstone then attacked with nine minutes of the half remaining and saw Sheppard shoot and Lewis could only spill the effort, see Bubb tap the rebound goalward but then see Dean clear off the line, it was very close to seeing the visitors edge ahead in this one.

With four minutes of the half remaining Stones almost shot themselves in the foot when Cox played a poor clearance into the path of Armson, but luckily for the visitors he could only shoot over, and then with a minute of the half left a Brackley corner played into Dean saw him get a nick on it however North held on.

It meant this first leg tie reached the break goalless and it was still all to play for in the second period.

Half Time Brackley Town 0 Wealdstone 0

Wealdstone had the first effort of the second period when in the 48^th minute Sheppard whipped in a corner for Oshodi, but he could only flick his header wide, and then three minutes later Bubb laid off a ball to Wellard on the edge of the box but his shot went just wide of the hosts goal.

Just past the hour mark Walker whipped in a free kick for the hosts and found the head of Graham, however it drifted wide and North gathered, before in the 65^th minute and with Brackley enjoying some decent possession now, Armson fired wide of the Stones goal.

A minute later a free kick from the hosts found the head of Dean, but it was a tame effort and North collected, and then moments after down the other end Bubb put a cross into the hosts area which deflected off the head of Myles but keeper Lewis held on to spare his blushes.

The 1,250 crowd were beginning to wonder if they would see a goal in this first leg encounter and Walker saw a shot go wide from the edge of the visitors area, and then moments later North had to be alert to keep out a Byrne effort which bobbled towards the visitors net.

And then came the breakthrough, as in the 86^th minute a deep corner from the hosts was played to Gudger, and he smashed an effort into the top corner, and the hosts had a slender lead to take to Ruislip in a weeks time.

Full Time Brackley Town 1 Wealdstone 0

Picture courtesy of Brackley Town FC:-

Right let’s see how the other semi final 1^st leg panned out, as Bromley took on Gateshead at Hayes Lane:-

Bromley 3 Gateshead 2

In the all-National League encounter in Bromley, Gateshead’s Richard Peniket slotted home within the first 60 seconds as Steve Watson’s visitors flew out of the blocks and landed the first blow. The home side equalised from the spot on 13 minutes – Brandon Hanlan keeping his cool to send his kick down the middle and out of reach of James Montgomery. Both sides had chances after that but it was the Tynesiders who went into the break in the lead as Danny Johnson took advantage of some sluggish defending to round David Gregory between the Bromley sticks and tap home. Louis Dennis curled home a peach of a strike early in the second half to haul the hosts level once more, before Hanlan rattled the crossbar as the momentum shifted back to Bromley. And the hosts’ pressure got its rewards when neat play by Hanlan gave Dennis the space to pick his spot and fire past Montgomery and complete the comeback for the home side, who held on for the win to take a slender one goal lead to the North-East.

So both Brackley Town and Bromley had one goal leads as they travelled to their respective second leg ties, lets see how my featured tie fared at Grosvenor Vale:-

Wealdstone 0 Brackley Town 2 (Brackley Town won 3-0 on aggregate)

Northamptonshire Vanarama North side Brackley Town completed the deal after seeing off Vanarama South Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale to take their place in the FA Trophy final in May.

Such was the occasion and the interest the game had to be delayed by ten minutes or so to let the huge crowd that had turned up in Ruislip into the ground, and in the end 2,008 crammed into Grosvenor Vale to see if their side could turn the tie around after their narrow first leg defeat.

However the visitors were themselves backed by a few hundred of their own supporters and they were intent on finishing the job, and in the opening ten minutes Brackley had both openings that came, firstly on three minutes when an early corner was headed over by skipper Gareth Dean, and then five minutes later striker Lee Ndlovu tried his luck from range, but it went wide.

Then Stones defender Jerome Okimo then had to be alert in the 13^th minute to thwart Glenn Walker, and then two minutes later Walker struck a low shot that deflected wide, but the visitors had certainly come out to try and finish this tie as early as they possibly could.

Midway through the half visitors striker Ndlovu looked likely to break clear on goal after a poor clearance but Edward Oshodi managed to dive in and concede a corner kick, and finally in the 27^th minute the hosts mounted a meaningful attack as Matthew Whichelow raced clear but he was brought down by James Armson, who was booked for the challenge, but at least the hosts had shown some attacking intent.

Just past the half hour mark though Brackley continued to threaten, and Aaron Williams got down the right and fired an effort in from out wide, and keeper Jonathan North initially thumbled the effort, but managed to hold onto it second time round, and then Shane Byrne volleyed just wide of the Stones goal as the visitors continued to knock on the door.

Ten minutes before the break saw a terrific save by hosts keeper North to keep out a Williams effort, and then against the run of play the hosts won a free kick in a decent position, however Sheppard picked out Tiryaki whose effort struck a defender and went out for a corner.

It meant the sides reached the break all square although it had been Brackley’s half for sure, and they would have been disappointed not to have been in front after a handful of good chances had passed them by, however they still held that slender lead from the first leg, but it was still all to play for.

Half Time Wealdstone 0 Brackley Town 0

Brackley may have been disappointed not to have been in front at the break, however ten minutes into the second period they found the net, when Byrne fired home a free-kick from twenty-five yards out, and the visitors now had a two goal aggregate lead to protect, and the hosts had it all to do now.

Wealdstone responded on the hour mark with a triple substitution, with Tiryaki, Glenn Wilson and Bradley Bubb all being replaced by Ricky Wellard, Daniel Fitchett and Harry Goodger, and this seemed to galvanize the hosts who put the visitors under a lot of pressure and midway through the half saw Danny Green burst down the middle of the park and drill a shot at goal but keeper Lewis steered it wide.

However after this initial burst of pressure from the hosts, this rather subsided and the longer the game went on you felt Brackley were going to hold on, and then with nine minutes remaining they sealed their spot in Wembley’s finale when Brackley broke out and found Williams who sent an effort around North and into the net, and spark celebrations amongst all to do with Brackley.

And that was that as they said, disappointing for Wealdstone who fall at the semi final stage, but they can take credit for how far they have come, whilst for Brackley they can now look forward to a Wembley final in May, how good does that sound eh?

Full Time Wealdstone 0 Brackley Town 2 (Brackley Town won 3-0 on aggregate)

Here are some photos of the second leg, courtesy of Andy Phillips (@APCAFC):-

So Brackley Town had made it to the final, who would they play in that, well here is how the other tie panned out up in the North East at Gateshead International Stadium:-

Gateshead 1 Bromley 1 (Bromley won 4-3 on aggregate)

Bromley will contest in this years FA Trophy final after they saw off fellow Vanarama National side Gateshead after drawing the second leg up in the North East.  The Ravens got off to the perfect start as with just five minutes gone, Charlton loanee Brandon Hanlan saw his effort saved by Heed goalkeeper James Montgomery, only for the ball to cannon off the unwitting Kerr and into the net. Richard Peniket and Patrick McLaughlin fired narrowly over in response for the hosts before Bromley missed a golden opportunity to wrap the game up on 50 minutes as Louis Dennis’ pinpoint cross found Hanlan six yards out, only for the striker to put the ball inches wide. The Ravens’ Frankie Sutherland was forced to clear Russell Penn’s shot on the turn off the line on 68 minutes but shortly after, the Heed were level anyway as Barrow fired an incredible 35-yard volley into the top right corner for a goal-of-the-season contender. Montgomery produced an excellent one-handed save from Dennis with eight minutes left to keep Gateshead in the tie but they couldn’t find the late goal which would have sent the match to extra-time and Bromley deservedly advanced to Wembley for the first time.

So that means the FA Trophy final will be contested between Vanarama North Brackley Town and Vanarama National Bromley at Wembley on Non League Finals Day, Sunday May 20^th.  Bromley will go into the match as favourites no doubt as they do play in a division higher, however Brackley will certainly fancy a shot at glory so it proves to be a decent final for sure.  Make sure you check my blog after the final for report and photos of the game.

Season 2017/18 - Quarter-Finals

Saturday 24th February
Stockport County 1 Brackley Town 1
Jimmy Ball's 73rd minute leveller saw hosts Stockport County earn a replay at Brackley Town's St James Park in their quarter final tie after they drew at Edgeley Park in Stockport.

This all Vanarama North Division contest saw Brackley Town probably slight favourites given their higher league position, and the fact that they had beaten County earlier in the season, albeit that was in Northamptonshire.

The first attempt on goal went the way of the visitors as Armson struck a fourth minute effort wide, and the visitors enjoyed much of the possession in the opening ten minutes, however County did see a Warburton effort deflect past the Brackley post.

On the quarter hour mark a ball over the top of the County defence found visitors leading scorer Williams, but his toe-poke was comfortably saved by Hinchcliffe, however as the half reached it's twenty minute mark the hosts were settling more into the tie and saw a free-kick from Thomas blocked, and after half an hour there were still no goals and few chances to really speak of.

Just past the half hour mark Adam Walker tried his luck from distance but saw County keeper Hinchcliffe equal to the effort, and seven minutes before the break Walker's cross aimed for Ndlovu saw the Brackley striker head thin air whilst under pressure from Duxbury, and the hosts cleared the danger.

Two minutes before the break Byrne's free kick into the hosts box found Gudger, whose header went the wrong side of the post, and in added time at the end of the first half Stopforth fired wide of the visitors goal and the whistle then went to end a rather uneventful opening forty five minutes.

Half Time Stockport County 0 Brackley Town 0

Two minutes into the second period County's Duxbury curled a free kick wide of the Brackley upright, and two minutes later another effort from Duxbury was held by Lewis.

In the 52nd minute Gudger headed over a visitors corner up the other end, before Armson's shot from the edge of the area was saved by keeper Hinchcliffe.

And then moments later County put togethe their best move of the match so far when Stephenson weaved in from the left, before squaring to Thomas who could only fire narrowly over, whilst down the other end Brackley skipper Dean headed over their latest corner kick.  It had certainly been a brigther start to this half than the first.

In the 62nd minute the Hatters attacked and after Brackley failed to clear, Warburton sent a curling shot at goal which keeper Lewis did well to tip around the post, and then a minute later O'Halloran saw a long range effort deflect narrowly past the visitors post.

And then three minutes later the visitors so nearly grabbed the lead when after Smalley had headed a corner out to Graham, the visitors player saw his effort strike the bar although Ndlovu had already been flagged for a handball, so it would not have counted in any case, and then down the other end Duxbury's cross just failed to find Oswell as the County striker attempted to head home.

However in the 69th minute came the breakthrough, and it went to the visitors, as from another corner Gudger nodded the ball back from beyond the far post and Ndlova tapped home, but just four minutes later the hosts bounced back to level the tie as Cowan's cross was met by Oswell whose header hit the bar, before Ball netted the rebound.

With twelve minutes remaining County saw a free-kick from Warburton go wide of the far post, and the majority of the 2,213 in attendance were willing their side onto finding a winning goal.

But with five minutes left it was Brackley who almost found the winner when Hinchliffe had to produce a brilliant save to deny Walker, and it meant a replay would be needed to see who would make it through to the Last Four of the Trophy.

Full Time Stockport County 1 Brackley Town 1

Here are some photos of the game courtesy of Mike Petch:-

So it all meant a replay at St James Park, Brackley, which was scheduled for the Tuesday, however this was postponed due to 'The Beast from the East' meaning the replay was moved back a week to March 6th, and this is what happened in that replay:-

Brackley Town 2 Stockport County 1
Goals from Williams ans Byrne saw Brackley end Stockports run in the FA Trophy and saw the Northamptonshire side reach the Last Four of the competition.

The hosts grabbed the perfect start in this replay, as after only four minutes saw Ndlovu's through ball find Williams who chipped home to give the hosts the lead, and County tried to respond as they did in the first game, but saw a Ball header glanced over after ten minutes.

County had another opening in the 18th minute when Cowan cross found Oswell, who under pressure could only head straight at home keeper Lewis, whilst a minute later up the other end Hinchliffe had to dive and save an effort from Armson.

In the 26th minute and from County's fifth corner, the ball found Stopforth whose shot was hooked into the arms of keeper Lewis, and on the half hour mark Brackley's Ball tried his luck from distance but Lewis was equal to it.

County then went close ten minutes before the break when Stephenson skimmed the bar, and from the visitors seventh corner of the half four minutes before the break, Oswell saw his effort turned past the post by Lewis.  The Hatters had been the better side in the last twenty minutes but could not find that goal.

Stephenson then saw another shot blocked by Graham, and then down the other end in stoppage time Armson volleyed over, but the hosts did lead at the break thanks to Williams early goal, but if the visitors could continue their momentum into the second period they had a great chance to get back into the tie.

Half Time Brackley Town 1 Stockport County 0

And sure enough just three minutes into the second period County levelled when Duxbury's cross from the left was tapped in by Oswell for his first goal in ten games, and you felt the visitors could go on and maybe win this tie.

However just two minutes later Brackley nudged themselves back ahead in this tie, as Byrne's effort from the edge of the box found the net and County had to find a way back into the contest yet again.

Brackley had the ball in the net again courtesy of Armson in the 54th minute, however this was ruled out for offside against Williams, and then two minutes later down the other end Duxbury saw a shot blocked before Oswell saw a header straight at Lewis.

Just past the hour mark Oswell saw a low shot take a deflection before being smothered by host keeper Lewis, and in the 66th minute Warburton fired narrowly over for the visitors as they continued to find a leveller once again.

Cowan then drilled in a low cross that Brackley keeper Lewis stooped to gather, before the hosts tested Hinchliffe in the County goal, as the keeper parried Walker's effort past the post to keep the Hatters in the tie.

The 506 in attendance were certainly kept on the edge of their seats and with thirteen minutes left Brackley saw Armson volley wide of the upright as the hosts looked to put this tie to bed once and for all.

Ndlovu then shot from distance with six minutes remaining but saw Hinchliffe parry forward before gathering the ball at the second attempt, but despite County's endevour they could not find a leveller and it meant Brackley Town progressed into the Semi Finals of the competition.

Full Time Brackley Town 2 Stockport County 1

Here are some photos from the game, courtesy of kappasport.co.uk:-

So Brackley are through after seeing off a very competitive Stockport County side, and they now take on Wealdstone over two legs in the Semi Finals of the competition.

Right here is a review of the other Quarter Final ties that took place:-
Saturday 24th February
Billericay Town 2 Wealdstone 5
Bradley Bubb fired Wealdstone one step closer to Wembley as they blitzed Billericay Town 5-2 in the Buildbase FA Trophy sixth round. The Stones netted four times in the first half with Bubb opening the scoring after 20 minutes before Rob Swaine responded seven minutes later.  It took Bubb just two minutes to double his tally, which Ricky Wellard and Matt Whichelow then increased, leaving Billericay trailing 4-1 at half time. The forward completed his hat-trick on 50 minutes, with Ricky Modeste’s 66th-minute strike merely a consolation for the home side.

Leyton Orient 3 Gateshead 3
Six goals were scored between Leyton Orient and Gateshead as a spirited display saw the Heed return from 3-0 down to earn a draw at Brisbane Road.  Josh Koroma opened the scoring for Orient on 35 minutes with a fine strike from outside the box. Orient deepened Gateshead’s predicament after the break, as Ebou Adams found the top-right corner from 25 yards on 52 minutes and Josh Coulson turned a free-kick in from close range five minutes later. But Danny Johnson hammered home on 68 and 78 minutes to give Gateshead hope of a comeback, which was duly delivered by Peniket’s heroic last-gasp finish.

Bromley 0 Spennymoor Town 0
The only goalless game was not short of excitement, as Bromley drew at home with Spennymoor Town to force a replay.  Bromley’s Louis Dennis had a low strike cleared off the line on 16 minutes by defender James Curtis, before George Porter brushed the crossbar from 20 yards out.  Curtis was heroic for Spennymoor, bravely going in for a goal-saving challenge on Dennis on 37 minutes. The visitors had their share of chances, with Brandon Hanlon’s header on 83 minutes giving Bromley their best scoring opportunity of the match but an outstanding performance from Spennymoor stopper Dan Lawson ensured they clung on to force a replay.

So two of the other three ties went to replay's too, and after both were postponed due to the snow, Gateshead and Orient managed to replay on March 6th, here is how that one went:-
Gateshead 3 Leyton Orient 2
Former Wales U21 international Richard Peniket notched late on to fire Steve Watson’s Gateshead to a 3-2 fourth-round replay victory over Leyton Orient and into the semi finals of the Trophy.  Danny Johnson had Gateshead in dreamland in the first half of their clash with the O’s at the International Stadium, the ex-Cardiff City man scoring twice inside the opening 16 minutes. He prodded home from a Jordan Preston cross with just 95 seconds on the clock before Johnson fired home from the penalty spot after he had been tripped by Dan Happe.  Eight minutes after the break though, James Brophy half-volleyed into the net to make it 2-1 and the visitors were level when the same man swung in a free-kick for captain David Mooney to head home.   But with ten minutes to go, Scott Barrow won the ball back out wide and crossed or Peniket to grab the winner.

The final replay, Spennymoor Town vs Bromley, was postponed for the second time, with the surface at the Brewery Field failing a pitch inspection held by the match referee.  This was after the club had called the game on earlier in the day, meaning Bromley had already arrived at the ground when the game was called off.  And after the pitch at The Brewery Field failed to recover the following week the tie was switched to Darlington's Blackwell Meadows.

Here is how the relay unfolded:-
Spennymoor Town 1 Bromley 2
Frankie Raymond's second half goal was enough for Vanarama National side Bromley to progress into the Semi Finals of the Trophy.  It started well for the Vanarama North hosts as they took a fifth minute lead when Glen Taylor sent an effort beyond Gregory into the bottom corner, however the lead lasted just two minutes as the visitors pounced on an error from Dan Lawson, missing a straight ball and seeing Louis Dennis roll into an empty net to level the tie.  And then ten minutes into the second half Bromley netted what proved to be the winner when Frankie Raymon swung in a free-kick which missed everyone and ended up in the bottom corner, and saw the visitors progress to face Gateshead in a two legged semi final tie.

So after all that here are the Semi Final ties:-
Saturday 17th March
First Legs
Brackley Town vs Wealdstone
Bromley vs Gateshead

Saturday 24th March
Second Legs
Gateshead vs Bromley
Wealdstone vs Brackley Town

So we are down to the final four and two ties from a place at Non League Finals day at Wembley in the Buildbase FA Trophy final on May 20th. 

The first semi final sees Brackley Town and Wealdstone go head to head, with the Northamptonshire side third in the Vanarama North having won four of their last five, whilst Wealdstone are 12th in the Vanarama South with just one win in their last five outings, however they will be more than a match for their opponents no doubt.  This is also my featured tie too.

In the other semi final it's an all Vanarama National tie as 12th placed Gateshead take on 10th placed Bromley, with both having similar records in their last five games, so this proves to be a rather close two legged affair.  Lets hope the weather doesn't intervene!!!