BARWELL (Kirkby Road)

After last weeks encounter in Devon finished in a 2-2 draw, todays choice of game was a real no-brainer. It was off into deepest Leicestershire for the replay. Barwell, from the Midland Alliance League, versus Willand Rovers, from the Western League. Barwell are unbeaten in the league this season and Willand are going well in their respective league. 120 minutes couldn't separate them last week, so something had to give today.

Obviously quite a few people were of the same opinion of me and today Kirkby Road road was packed to the rafters with 384 hardy souls, including plenty of seasoned Groundhoppers, which was easily Barwell's biggest crowd of the season, thus far.

Unfortunately the game didn't live up to the pre-match billing and the game became a tough battle between two big powerful sides. Both teams had big target men and this meant both teams played a direct style of football, which was not pretty to watch.

As well as flowing football being at a premium, so indeed were the chances created. I genuinely thought this was going to be my first 0-0 game of the season. After a chance for Willand went begging early on, when a shot was fired wide, it was the team from Devon who drew first blood on 40 minutes when a cross from the left wasn't dealt with by the Barwell number 5, and he allowed the ball to go through his legs, and David Steele fired home.

Within two minutes of the re-start, Barwell were level. A shot from Kevin Charley hit the crossbar and Adam Cunnington was on hand to head the re-bound from about three yards. The home team had their tails up and it looked like they may start to take control of the tie, but the game soon reverted back to the war of attrition of the first period. The best chance of a winner did fall to Rovers minutes from the end when Carl Cliff-Brown was put through but was foiled by Barwell 'keeper Leon Castle.

This sent the match into extra time, and the smart money was on penalties, as both sides looked inseparable. However, in the 96th minute a long ball over over the top was missed by the Willand centre back and Cunnington raced through, rounded the 'keeper and slotted home from a tight angle to finally settle the tie. Willand tried in vain to grab an equaliser but their efforts didn't trouble Castle in the home goal. This is the furthest Barwell have ever gone in the Vase and they will now be at home to Norton & Stockton Ancients in the Quarter Final.

Saturday 13th February 2010

FA Vase 5th Round Replay

Barwell 2-1 Willand Rovers (A.E.T)

Attendance: 384