F.A. Cup - First Round Qualifying

Wivenhoe Town   1    Yaxley  2

Saturday, 16 September 2006

The Cuckoos tore up the form book to snatch a dramatic success at Wivenhoe and book a place in the Second Qualifying Round. Mark Paul gave Yaxley the lead after 23 minutes, but they were pegged back within two minutes by Simon Thomas. Skipper Ricky Hailstone restored the Cuckoos lead after 41 minutes, but with thirteen minutes remaining he became the villain as his second yellow card left Yaxley to face the closing stages a man down. When Wivenhoe were awarded a spot kick two minutes into stoppage time the home side looked set for a second chance but Jeff Shepherd failed to hit the target and the Cuckoos were through.

Following the match, manager Jim Watson paid tribute to his team. “Overall it was a good, tough game but for the first 20 minutes we didn’t get into gear, Wivenhoe were piling on the pressure and we were giving the ball away far too cheaply. Lee Blewitt set up Mark Pauls goal really well and we caught them by surprise. They piled the pressure on immediately but their goal shouldn’t have been as Jodey Vincent was clearly taken out in mid-air by their forward. But, all credit to the lads, they didn’t let their heads go down and responded to the pressure with Ian Edge releasing Ricky Hailstone to restore the lead. Both of our goals were well worked and taken well.

In the early part second half we kept playing good football, absorbed their pressure and controlled much of the play. Jodey Vincents handling was more confident and the back 4 were solid and disciplined. We nearly made it 3 when Ricky Hailstone released Mark Paul but their keeper made an excellent save. Ricky’s dismissal was a big blow but again, credit to the lads, they didn’t crack and Ian Edge still caused Wivenhoe problems on the break. Their last minute penalty was a blow but we knew their number 2 (Shephard) would put it to the keepers right and sure enough he did - Jodey went the right way and had it covered but it was wide anyway.

Todays result has restored a lot of confidence and we’ve got to get our league heads back on and work our way back to where we should be, but it could be several weeks before we get the chance if our cup runs continue. We’ve got a team with great ability, we just need to turn it into results.

The high point for me today is for the lads to take on a team from 2 leagues higher, loose a man and still get the win – I’m proud of every one of them and they should be proud of themselves.”

Yaxley travel to Deeping on Saturday 23rd Sept for the FA Vase 2^nd Qualifying Round