THE WOOD SNATCH ANOTHER LATE VASE WIN !

Today it's FA Vase time again and also FA Trophy time too! I have decided though to see the Walsall Wood - AFC Bridgnorth tie in the Vase. The last time I went to Oak Park was the FA Vase, Quarter-Final tie when Walsall Wood played Guernsey, 2 years ago. It was a great occasion with a 650+ crowd, with the game going to extra-time but with no goals, although Walsall had the better chances. Guernsey won the replay, so now Walsall Wood will be thinking that maybe they can have another good Vase run.

I saw the Wood win at Malvern Town in a previous round and that result seems to have galvanised them after a fairly poor start to this season.  

When I leave Worcester, it's starting to cloud over after a bright start to the day but with no forecast of rain. I get to Walsall by 12:50pm and after having a quick look around for a place to eat, decide on using the Gardenia Cafe near the bus station, a place I have been on two previous visits, as it's a friendly place and good value. 

After a good filling breckie sandwich, I take the No.10 bus and 25 minutes later I am making the short walk on the path from Lichfield Road to Oak Park, which sits alongside the Oak Park Sports Centre. When I enter the ground, I can see the main stand on the left side of the pitch and the club house and changing rooms are on the right. 

AFC Bridgnorth are occupying top spot in the Premier Division of the West Midlands League before today's game, so should provide stiff opposition. Many of the same players who were with the club, in their previous incarnation as Bridgnorth Town, when that club were dissolved (due to financial difficulties) are still in the squad and have shown great loyalty to the club and their Manager, Mark Clyde.

So the teams come on to the pitch in their usual colours, Wood in all red and Bridgnorth in all blue. I also notice that there are 2 other photographers in attendance today and look like press photographers with their professional looking equipment.

The first half proves to be an even affair with neither side on top for long. It's all a bit scrappy and sometimes a bit ill tempered, with the referee having words with both teams to watch their step.

The best chance of this half falls to Wood's No.10, Leon Taylor, who blasts the ball high over the bar after having been played in to a good position from a pass that comes in from the right.

The main threat from Bridgnorth comes from the surging runs on the right flank by Anwar Olugbon (who is shown below).

For the last few minutes of the first period, Walsall Wood are on top. Leon Taylor sees his effort saved well by the Bridgnorth keeper and then with their last attack, one of their players makes a run in to the box and is brought down and everyone is expecting a penalty to be given. Instead the ref blows his whistle for half time. Of course the home side are incensed and swarm round the ref, dismayed that no penalty has been awarded. It's to no avail though, both teams troop off the field and so the first half ends on a more dramatic note than expected.

When I walk to the club house, I can look over the wall and see the commemorative sculpture of the Walsall Wood colliery that closed in 1964. I'm later told by a spectator after the game that for years, they had a big slag heap on that spot.

So the second half starts and I have decided to go to the other end of the ground which Walsall Wood will be attacking.

After 48 minutes, The Wood are awarded a free kick just outside the area. Their No.9 takes it and sends a shot crashing off the intersection of post and cross bar and the rebound is bundled in by the No.11 Corey Currithers. At last a goal and this galvanises the visitors.

                  (The reactions of the players say it all after the first Walsall Wood goal)

On 63 minutes Bridgnorth equalise after the rebound from Olugbon's saved shot is pushed in.

Walsall Wood respond immediately as a minute later, Walsall's Leon Taylor heads in from a corner (as shown below).

Then the same player 4 minutes later just misses a ball played in across the Bridgnorth goal when he slides in at the far post.

It's a very open game now and with just 5 minutes to go Bridgnorth equalise again to the dismay of the home crowd. The goal comes courtesy of a lob over the advancing Walsall keeper Kiesel.

By now I have given up on my photography as the light levels are proving to be unworkable but just as I am about to go on my way, Walsall Wood snatch a dramatic late win when their substitute, Drew Aiton, shoots in the ball from close range. So just like their first Vase tie this season, The Wood have triumphed right at the death of an absorbing contest.

So it's hard luck on a stubborn AFC Bridgnorth team who will be strong contenders in the chase for the West Midlands Premier crown this season and Walsall Wood will now face an away tie to league rivals Causeway United, who play at Halesowen's ground in the next round.

The size of the crowd was disappointing today but that may be due to the fact that nearby Rushall Olympic were also playing at home.  

                      (The backdrop of the match provided by the Colliery sculpture)

Match attendance: 89
Entertainment value: 7.5/10
Entrance fee: £5
Match programme: £1