CARBS LEADS THE WAY AS WE SET OFF ON OUR FA VASE CAMPAIGN WITH A FLYING START

With the sun shining, the pitch looking a lush green and a decent crowd the scene was set for a thrilling local derby cup tie against Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and we certainly got one. There were 5 goals, 7 yellow cards (although as one tweeter remarked it was hardly a dirty game) and some controversy just to add some spice to the proceedings.

There are a lot of similarities between us and Aylesbury Vale, with both clubs giving youth a chance rather than splash the cash to the usual suspects who seem to roam from club to club. The two teams played out a close 1-1 draw just 2 weeks ago at Haywood Way and with local pride and some prize money at stake the crowd could look forward to a competitive and enjoyable game, the 24th between us.

We started on the front foot and had a great opportunity in the 5th minute when a super Jack Stevens ball set free Godlove Oppong who was denied by a terrific save from keeper George Zammit. It was good to see Jack Stevens back in action after a period out injured and he played as if he had never been away.

We were playing our usual fluid football, dominating possession, winning some corners and having shots block but the visitors defended well and we never really tested their keeper. Our best opportunities came from 2 or 3 superb crosses which were crying out for someone to get on the end of them.

Our guests seemed content to try and hit us on the break but as the half wore on they began to probe more menacingly winning some free kicks and corners. They went close in the 34th minute when Joosh Boorn struck a fine free kick from around 28 yards that forced Ollie Keil into a super flying save.

With 4 minute left on the first half clock we finally broke the ice when the two 18 year olds Leo Farruch and Godlove Oppong linked up from a short corner with the latter cleverly working his way to the bye line before crossing into the area where George Carbery flicked the ball on for Giuseppe Delgaudio to finish from close range. The visitors complained that the ball had gone over the bye line before being crossed into the area but the officials disagreed and the goal stood. Score 1-0.

Just like buses after going most of the first half without a goal we nearly had a second two minutes later. From a cross the lively Joosh Boorn sent in a header which forced Ollie Keil to tip over the bar. So after a fairly even first half, with neither keeper overly stretched, we held a slender one goal lead. HT Score 1-0.

We again started strongly with a Giuseppe snap shot going just wide of the far post and Antonia Iannelli nearly doubled our lead when he headed a Leo Farruch free kick against his own post.

In the 52nd minute the visitors levelled the score when former Athletic player Prince Nimoh got away down the left, skilfully got to the bye line and then slipped a pass to Jake Baldwin who couldnt fail to score. Score 1-1.

The game was now much more open as both sides clearly wanted to avoid a penalty shoot out. Leo Farruch whipped in a superb cross to pick out an unmarked Giuseppe who headed wide from a great position.

Two weeks ago George Carbery came up with a late equaliser against Aylesbury Vale and again he stepped up to the mark to put us back into the lead again. After collecting a cross on the far left of the area he did a soft shoe shuffle to work himself some space then tucked away his shot into the far corner. It was Simply superb from our Skipper who also has the honour of scoring our 100th goal in this prodigious national competition.. Score 2-1.

We stretched our lead to two goals 5 minutes later when the visitors defence failed to deal with a throw and Godlove used his strength to hold off a defender and then smash a left shot into the roof of the net. Score 3-1.

The visitors showed great character to come back strongly and following one quick break were unlucky when Jake Baldwin just failed to get onto a cross from Prince Nimoh. Then Lenny Armstrong cleared a ball off the line as the visitors went all out to try and get back into the game.

With just 3 minutes of normal time left we looked home and dry but a controversial and puzzling moment allowed a goal to stand and give our opponents a life line. Score 3-2. We managed to see out the last few minutes apart from one breakaway when Jack McKensie had a rush of blood to the head and fired over a chance. FT Score 3-2.

Our win takes us through to the 2nd round proper for the 9th time in this prodigious national competition and we will look forward to hearing the draw on Monday, but full marks to our opponents who made us work hard for our victory which on the balance of play was just about deserved.

Team: O Keil, E Hearn, A Sawyer, Jack Stevens, Harrison Cornick, L Armstrong, E Goulding (F Hercules 80), Leo Farruch, G Carbery (Capt), G Delgaudio ( A Mannion 89), G Oppong (O Butler 74). Subs not used: D Pobbe, T Brazier, J Morris, H Mead.

Scorers:

G Delgaudio (41), G Carbery (63), G Oppong (68)

Crowd: 180

Tweet