Damage in the Box!: LONG BUCKBY (Station Road)

It was back on the Wembley trail today, with a Vase encounter at Station Road between Long Buckby, of the United Counties League, and Gresley, of the East Midland Counties League. Both teams are doing well in their respective leagues and are handily placed when you factor in games in hand. In terms of league though, this match is Step 5 v Step 6 but you have to consider that Gresley are in effect a continuation of Gresley Rovers, who were liquidated in the summer of 2009 and were playing at Step 4 last season.

On a freezing and foggy afternoon, there was a huge crowd at Station Road, just under 400, many of which were 'away' fans all eagerly anticipating a close exciting game, given what ultimately happened I suppose they weren't to be disappointed!

A pretty insipid, but very even, first half ended 1-1 at the interval. Dan Holman, scoring his 22nd goal in 23 games, gave The Bucks the lead after 10 minutes, tapping home at the far post after a goalkeeping error. Royce Turville levelled for Gresley just before half time when he raced through one-on-one with keeper Olly Urquart before firing home.

The first 15 minutes of the second half were also pretty uneventful until the hour mark when Gresley bagged three goals in eight minutes to go 4-1 up. On 60 minutes Turville bagged his second with a superb lob over the 'keeper from a tight angle. Rob Spencer then bagged a brace in two minutes, the first on 66 minutes was a header from close range and then a run and low angled shot on 68 minutes looked to have finished the game.

On 72 minutes Dan Chiltern headed home a cross from a free-kick to reduce the arrears and Long Buckby pressed and pressed but didn't add their third until the 90th minute when Jon Crockett prodded home. There was six minutes of stoppage time but the home team couldn't find the equaliser to take the tie into extra time.

I think The Bucks did enough to warrant at least another 30 minutes but it wasn't to be. This result left Gresley marching on to Wembley, but I have to add they were the words of their 'vociferous' fans...NOT mine!!!