VICKERS WORTH AT LEAST A REPLAY

VICKERS WORTH AT LEAST A REPLAY

EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 3 VCD ATHLETIC 2

The Vickers missed a golden opportunity to progress to the next round of the FA Cup with an opening spell of domination that should have made the game safe, but again some poor defending proved costly as Town came out 3-2 winners. VCD attacked from the start, penning the home side deep in their own half and had they taken the chances that fell to them would have had a comfortable cushion. Derek Duncan slipped a neat ball through to Steve Carvell who cut inside his man but curled the ball just over the angle. Then the lively Rashid Kamara broke down the right before releasing Kemo Darboe who made ground before squaring a delightful ball into the path of Carvell, who fired straight at the keeper from 10 yards. Kamara was causing numerous problems with his pace and trickery, but all too often too many touches were needed and a number of chances went begging. The first opportunity for the hosts came when a long ball split Alastair Gordon and Junior Baker leaving Dean Brown to run on, but he shot into the side netting. VCD were more direct with the ball in contrast to Town’s passing build up, but both sides foundered in the last third with a lack of incision. Things were looking comfortable for the visitors until the half hour when East Grinstead took the lead. A free kick in the centre circle was played wide to the completely unmarked Will Thomas who sent in a first time cross deep to the far post, where Dean Bown rose to head powerfully home. This didn’t seem too much of a problem considering the possession VCD were having, but three minutes later a comic goal saw them go two down. A long ball over the top caught out the VCD defence, with keeper Joe Mant rushing from his area, but he could only head the ball into the air where it fell for Marcus Elliott who calmly chipped into the empty net. The Vickers got a lifeline right on the stroke of half time when Rashid Kamara got clear down the right before squaring to Steve Carvell, where keeper Oshane Brown saved his shot only for the ball to ricochet off Carvell and trickle into the net off a post.
Rashid Kamara, who had looked dangerous in the first half was replaced for the second period by Omar Lawson, and the Vickers attacked from the restart with Derek Duncan sending in a low shot that skimmed just past a post, then Lawson played Kemo Darboe into the box where he appeared to be pushed over, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals. A long kick from Joe Mant caught out the home defence with Lawson running clear, but his drilled shot was well parried by keeper Brown. VCD were taking the game to Town and Carvell’s neat ball wide to Alastair Gordon was returned first time into the box, but just eluded Emmanuel Osei in a good position. With the Vickers having been unable to make things count, Town took advantage and went further ahead when Brown’s long kick was not dealt with, and Tariq Straker stole the ball to fire low past Mant. With the tie seemingly over VCD managed to pull a goal back when Omar Lawson won the ball and took a touch before slotting home. VCD then pumped balls into the box as Town were again penned deep, and almost claimed an equaliser when Joe Mant’s free kick reached Junior Baker, but he drove agonisingly across goal and behind, before the final whistle went.

VCD Athletic: Mant, Lutaaya, Gordon, Baker, Imudia, K Duncan (Joseph 35), Blackwood,
D Duncan, Darboe (Osei 76), Carvell, Kamara (Lawson 46)

Subs not used: Bankole, El-Moyhalbel, Gorbell,

Attendance: 75
Match Report By Brian Norris