EASTWOOD TOWN 1 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 2

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Saturday 4th September 2004

FA Cup Preliminary Round

EASTWOOD TOWN 1 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 2

 

Willenhall Town found the smart Coronation Park ground right up their street for this FA Cup tie between fellow Unibond Division One rivals Eastwood. The soap like drama started after just 51 seconds, some super Arsenal like play from the Reds saw Jackson float over a pin point cross and the smallest man on the field, Smith headed home the opener.

With Willenhall playing their best ever football of the season up the considerable slope it looked like it would be a whitewash, but Eastwood stuck to their task and turned the tables on their visitors on 23 minutes. The Badger’s first attack on goal saw them awarded a controversial free-kick which was sent over for an unmarked Knox to head past Vaughan.

On 35 minutes Badger’s keeper Bryant pulled off a great diving save to prevent Smith after a dazzling run through the defence and deep into added time Jackson saw his volley skim the crossbar.

By this time the ref had killed the game with his allowance of niggling pushing, tugging and shirt pulling. His lack of use of his equipment, his whistle!, and some bizarre decisions muted the game and brought frustration to both sets of fans. Indeed in what is a very rare sight at football grounds both sets of fans actually agreed on something, how poor the officials were.

The Reds pressed on from the re-start and from a Swann corner Jackson saw his header cleared off the line on 51 minutes.

As it was the FA Cup something special was needed to separate the teams and in true Roy of the Rovers fashion the 159 strong crowd were to witness it. The time was 67 minutes; the Reds win a free-kick some 35 yards from goal. The ball is placed, the visiting dug out signal a substitution. John “super-sub” Quilt replaces Tyrell. The big striker jogs from the dug out towards the ball, strikes the ball, it accelerates faster than a supercharged sports car and smashes into the net. This was a goal that makes the two efforts later in the day in the Austria and England game look average.

The Badgers nearly grabbed the chance of a replay when with five minutes remaining Mitchell’s long range effort hit the cross bar. The ref must have worked at Asda as he tried to give the crowd value for money, playing an extra 5 minutes for the first half and an extra 6 minutes at the end!

Willenhall now have a home tie against former Midland Alliance rivals Barwell in 2 weeks time.

Reds line up; Vaughan, Colwell, Colcombe, Slater, Thomas, Curran, Swann, Jackson, Edwards, Tyrell, Smith. Subs; Quilt, Webb, Creighton, Whitcombe & Myers.

Willenhall now entertain table toppers Gresley on Tuesday 7th, before visiting Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday 11th.