FA Vase first qualifying round
Worsbrough Bridge 1-2 Maine Road
Luke Forgione’s Worsbrough Bridge suffered last minute FA Vase despair as Euan Melia snatched victory for struggling Maine Road at a packed Park Road.
The tie had been fizzling out and heading to a penalty shootout until Melia’s low drive sparked a mini pitch invasion involving Maine Road players and coaching staff.
The punishing finale was very harsh on Worsbrough who had recovered from a poor first half to get themselves level and had pushed for the winner.
That said, the tie was fairly lacklustre.
Worsbrough’s display was far from the swash-buckling performances which have enabled them to make a promising start to the Toolstation NCEL Division One campaign.
The opening few minutes saw them cause their visitors problems.
But that was more-or-less it was for the first 45.
Maine Road, who are fourth-bottom in the North West Counties League First Division South and appointed new managers Rees Walsh and Ray Barnett on Friday, missed two good chances before punishing Worsbrough on the third thanks to a Ben Mooney volley.
They then wasted another golden opportunity.
Forgione clearly added some inspiration at the break as his troops displayed energy and vigour going forward.
You could sense an equaliser would come as whilst Worsbrough were looking dangerous, Maine Road looked out on their feet.
Mike Jepps fired in a low strike as Worsbrough took advantage of their dominance,
Substitute Alex Hutchinson then spurned the chance to put Worsbrough in front.
Marine Road came alive again soon after.
Maxim Hague cleared off-the-line for Worsbrough while another effort went over.
Hutchinson went close too at other end.
Penalties still looked certain but Melia found the bottom corner from the penalty area after taking on Hague to steal the win and book a tie with Goole AFC.
What They Said
Worsbrough Bridge manager Luke Forgione
“I think it is frustrating because we’d worked so hard to get back into the game.
“We’re not happy because we have lost but we’re not unhappy.
“I think Maine Road had a game-plan to come and be difficult to beat which they were.
“It became a frustrating game and I think a few of the lads got a bit frustrated and that was evident as we didn’t control possession as much as we would have liked to.
“The lads did really well in the second half in terms of managing the game.
“We created some decent opportunities.
“We didn’t cut them to threads but we had more of the ball and territory.
“I don’t think we did enough to win it and I don’t think they did enough.”
The Teams
Worsbrough Bridge: Pritchard, Semley (Smith 71), Hague, Glavin (captain), Francis, Wilson, Sheppard, Puscell (Walton 59), Jepps, Donoghue, Holt (Hutchinson 66). Subs unused; Sawyer, Dodsworth.
Maine Road: Monteith, Sulelman, Earlam, Eiselt, Edwards (Fallon 74), Keyworth, Pepe, Mooney, Coppin, Islam (Ahmed 84), Melia. Subs unused: Curtis, Burnett, Da Silva.
Who Was In Charge
Joshua Drake (8/10)
How Many Were There
226
Man of the Match
Mike Jepps (Worsbrough Bridge)
The Teams
Worsbrough Bridge: Pickard,
Should read Ross Pritchard