FA Vase dream over

On Saturday we welcomed Brantham Athletic to North Road in our eagerly awaited 3rd round FA Vase tie. The winners knew they would take their place in the last 32 of the competition and 4 rounds from Wembley. The draw had given us a tough tie and we were not helped with the Manager Webster and 2 of our back 4 Kev Hughes and Warren Joseph unavailable due to a family wedding. Joe Ellul came in to the back 4 making his debut with Sam Holman and Jamie Clark returning to the starting line up. We started the game well and had a great chance after 5 minutes when Pagey was played through but the ball wouldn’t sit down and the defender toe poked away just as he was about to pull the trigger. Jake Holman’s pass then found Pagey who turned and shot but his reverse shot was excellently saved by the Brantham keeper. Brantham then had their first effort when Mayhew collected the ball infield and struck a 30 yard shot that bent and dipped but hit the bar and went over. We then had a big shout for a penalty with all the Regent players adamant it had struck the defenders hand but the Ref was unmoved. The game was fairly even and at a good tempo, shortly before half time some good play through midfield saw Ricky Griggs one on one but with the keeper advancing his shot cleared the bar. HT 0-0
Brantham started the second half well and we were further hit when after 5 minutes Joe had to be replaced after picking up an injury. Ryan Salter was moved in to the back 4 with Liam Morley coming in to midfield. With the away side starting the half well it was against the run of play that Regent took the lead. Ricky played in to Pagey who chested down to Sam Holman whose weighted pass found Liam Whittaker who timed his run before rounding the keeper and making it 1-0. Brantham came straight back and within 5 minutes were level from a corner. The ball was half cleared but bobbling in the box and the Bloss’s overhead kick fell perfectly for Deacon to head in the equaliser, 1-1. The game was fairly open now with both teams looking dangerous going forward. After 74 minutes we regained the lead from a Ricky Griggs corner. Brantham this time unable to clear the ball and lethal Jake Holman swivelled and fired his shot in to the roof of the net to make it 2-1. Once again though credit to Brantham and they didn’t let us settle and a run from the Brantham sub found him in the box going away from goal but Beeson coming out caught him and the penalty was awarded. Mayhew stepped up and again 5 minutes after taking the lead we were pegged back, 2-2. Charlie then replaced Phil and after 86 minutes nearly produced a winner. Ricky beating the full back before crossing to the incoming Charlie but the defender made a great challenge to deflect the ball inches wide with all the home fans thinking it was in. Less than a minute later Brantham had themselves got the winner, Mayhew collecting the ball on the right before coming in field and his shot from 25 yards beat Beeson to make it 2-3. The game fizzled out with Brantham through to the last 32.
A good battling performance from the boys, we didn’t play our normal passing football but credit to Brantham whose attack minded side make it hard to do this. I felt we more than matched our opponents who came in to the game 3rd in the Premier Division and certainly did ourselves credit with our FA Vase run. Good luck to Brantham and back to League action next week.
#big3points