Vase – Cherries beat Ash on pens

Two step 6 teams, both with having maximum points in their respective leagues, came together this afternoon in the Isuzu FA Vase 1st round qualifying.

We welcomed Ash United (from the Hampshire /Surrey borders) who had so far won their first three league games to Barnett’s Field.  A lot of chances fell to both sides, with Ash probably having the better of the early chances in the first half but overall it was goal-less at half time as the teams took a well earned break.  The second half started well for The Cherries, with WIll Guppy scoring from distance, beating the Ash keeper, with the ball ending up in the top left corner to take the lead.  It was all going well until 75 minutes when during a flurry of Ash pressure Ryan Lopes managed to squeeze the ball through the Stur defenders and past the keeper to level the scores.  The remaining 15 minutes were understandably quite frantic with chances falling to both sides.  But then Full Time arrived and the game would have to be decided on penalties.

The first two penalties for both sides were scored, and then Ash’s third penalty went wide of the post.  Elliot Bevis stepped up to take the third for Stur as the crowd held its breath.  Bevvy put the goal past the keeper and the home side took the lead.  All the remaining penalties were scored, a rare sight indeed to have nine out of ten in the back of the net!  Well done to all of the penalty takers, especially both George Colemans, Elliot Bevis, Nick Hewlett, and Will Guppy.

Handshakes all around from two well matched sides that provided the 147 strong crowd with a very entertaining game, evenly matched to the end.  Great side – hope to see you all again sometime.

Next up in the FA Vase we face Newport (Isle of Wight) at home on 20th September.

Today’s man of the match was awarded to Jensen Doerr.