WOODBRIDGE TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB

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 FA VASE 1ST ROUND
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Wembley 2 Woodbridge Town 2 (aet)
Saturday 17th November 2007
WOODBRIDGE’S never-say-die spirit earned them a replay after they twice came from behind in Glenn Read’s first game in charge.
The two teams will replay at Notcutts Park on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm, after 30 minutes of extra time failed to separate the sides at the end of an absorbing contest.

A disappointing first half did not give any signs of what was to follow, with Woodbridge not really getting into the game after falling behind with just three minutes played to the only shot on target in the entire half.

Paul Shelton sent a curling right-foot effort just wide of the far post in the second minute, but Woodbridge did not heed the warning and paid the price almost immediately. A left-wing cross was only headed clear as far as Shane Sinclair, whose 20-yard volley dipped into the far corner of the net with Marcus Garnham motionless.

The lively Sinclair, a right back who loves to attack, was to prove a thorn in the visitors’ side throughout the afternoon and he was prominent as Wembley pushed for a second goal.

Lee O’Neill shot wide in the 35th minute as Woodbridge, with Mark Roper and Jon Bickers holding firm at the back, came to life but they still trailed at the break. 

The only other first-half incident of note was the return of Ben Garnham, who has not played in the first team since the defeat at Lowestoft on September 18 due to a back injury, when he replaced the out-of-sorts Paul Hart in a tactical switch in the 40th minute.

The opening minutes of the second half gave a taste of what was to come. 

Marcus Garnham was booked when he was adjudged to have handled outside the area rather than chesting down a through ball in the 50th minute and then two minutes later O’Neill passed up a great opportunity to equalise when Paul Berry fed the ball though to him but he shot straight at the keeper from 12 yards.

Shelton did likewise at the other end before Berry engineered some space but saw his effort drift just wide of the far post.

With 17 minute remaining Tony Boto appeared from off the bench and within six minutes had pulled the Woodpeckers level.

It looked as though Marc Talbot would collect Aaron Churchyard’s diagonal through ball but he failed to gather cleanly under pressure from Boto and the striker did well to keep the ball in play before walking it into the net.

Joel Bevis saw an effort beaten away by Marcus Garnham in the 84th minute but the Woodbridge keeper was beaten two minutes later when Jumo Mitchell swept a left-wing cross just inside the far post.

In a final throw of the dice Woodbridge introduced youth team striker Craig Jennings for Jamie Scales in the 88th minute and with time running out O’Neill, who had looked much more effective playing wide on the right rather than through the middle, worked his way to the byline and pulled the ball back.

Luke Read, who had got through a mountain of work in midfield, turned the ball back into the dangerzone and Churchyard applied the finishing touch to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Boto and O’Neill both came close to winning the tie for Woodbridge in extra time while Marcus Garnham ensured there was not to be a late winner at the other end when he saved from Shelton.

Woodbridge: Marcus Garnham, Arran Sheppard, Mark Roper, Jon Bickers, Grant Monaghan (sub Tony Boto 73 mins), Paul Hart (sub Ben Garnham 40 mins), Luke Read, Aaron Churchyard, Lee O’Neill, Paul Berry, Jamie Scales (sub Craig Jennings 88 mins). Unused subs: Tom Ross and Stefan Marsh.


 © WTFC 2007

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