AFC Wallingford Official Website

AFC Wallingford went out of the FA Vase in extra time today at Westbury despite coming back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 through a 4 minute hat trick from 17 year old Tom Collins.

Picture: (Players take part in the RESPECT Handshake before the game)

The game started brightly with both side having some good early chances. Nick Bovingdon, making his debut for Wallingford in goal, made a good save on 14 mins to keep the scores level but on 20 minutes he was beaten. The ball was played into Wallingford’s box and appeared to be missing everyone until Westbury’s strikers outstretched hand controlled the ball and he finished past the keeper. Much to his and Wallingford’s disbelief the goal was given and play quickly resumed. On 27 minutes Baker nearly level from a long Butcher throw but his shot was sat on by the Westbury Keeper. Westbury furthered their lead on 31 minutes when their striker jumped between Amos and Butcher to arrow his header past Bovingdon into the top corner.

The second half saw Collins and Poulter replace Gladwin and Duncan and a change of shape. This had an instant impact on the game as Wallingford now dominated the game and created chances. On 53 minutes Kelleher smashed a clever quick free kick just wide and on 55 Chadbone headed over from 10 yards with time to spare. A Wallingford goal appeared to be on the cards and it came on 58 minutes. Substitute Collins broke through to lift the ball over the onrushing keeper from the edge of the box and Wallingford were back in the game. Only 3 minutes later a short corner was delivered and Collins acrobatically volleyed home at the back post to level the game. An instant impact from 17 year old Collins who only a minute later secured a 4 minute hat trick to put Wallingford 3-2 up. From kick off Wallingford applied good pressure and Collins stole the ball from Westbury’s right back and drove the ball inside the near post. A shell shocked Westbury now needed a response and for the next 20 minutes the pressure began to build. Some good defending and goalkeeping kept Wallingford ahead until the 86^th minute when the ball was played across the box and Westbury’s right winger found half a yard to drive the ball into the far corner. The game then drifted into extra time.

Wallingford looked most likely to take the lead in the early exchanges, Collins fired over on 100 minutes after some excellent work and Poulter shot at the keeper from 25 yards out. Substitute Goalkeeper Craven then had to replace Kelleher after turning his ankle. The whole ground thought Collins had his and Wallingford’s 4^th on 105 minutes when he turned expertly from Craven’s flick forward but his effort slid wide of the far post.

Westbury had the better exchanges of the final period and with 9 minutes of extra time remaining a cross was cleared by Amos and Westbury’s central midfielder fired a shot from 25 yards which was tipped on to the post by Bovingdon only to see the rebound tapped in by Westbury’s number 9 who, despite Wallingford’s claims, was not given offside. Westbury then saw the game out with Wallingford finding it hard to create any more chances.

A performance which showed great character and signs of maturity from the young players but the important competition starts next weekend when Warborough & Shillingford visit for Wallingford’s first league game of the 09-10 campaign.

Match Squad:

1. Nick Bovingdon

2. Michael Butcher

3. Tristan Lewis

4. Ben Gladwin

5. Couutney Amos 

6. Jordan Lee-Brown 

7. Ross Baker

8. Sean Kelleher 

9. Ben Chadbone

10. Jordan Brown

11. Craig Duncan

12. Josh Poulter

14. Tom Collins

GK - Henry Craven