Sykes strikes at close to send Ammers through in Vase

Matthew Sykes with Yorkshire Amateur joint manager Neil Sibson (right) and assistant Craig Ogilvie

Matty Sykes scored a dramatic last minute free kick to propel Yorkshire Amateur to an epic 5-4 win over Bottesford Town and into the FA Vase third round for only the second time in the club’s 100 year history.

The see-saw encounter, played out in torrential rain, saw the Leeds-based side race into a two-nil lead after just 11 minutes through Fernando Moke and Ash Flynn.

Bottesford pulled one back, but Flynn ensured the Ammers had restored their two-goal advantage before the break.

Bottesford scored three minutes into the second half before Moke made it 4-2. 

With 20 minutes to go Bottesford grabbed another to set up a nervy finale. The Ammers could not hang on and Bottesford equalised in the dying minutes to seemingly set up extra-time.

Not that either team wanted as Bottesford would then hit the post. 

That was a huge let-off and extra-time was averted when Sykes intervened at the last second.

Fellow NCEL sides AFC Mansfield and Grimsby Borough also progressed in the Vase. Selby Town and Bridlington Town will face-off on Tuesday night as Saturday’s original tie was rained off.

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