Town Exit Vase At Quarter Finals

It was certainly a game a neutral would enjoy, but for fans of either team, it was nail-biting.
Town started very brightly in the opening exchanges, with Webb firing wide of the mark, before James Towell had a great chance, albeit from a tight angle. His effort just went the wrong side of the post.
However, it would be the hosts who took the lead on 9 minutes. Jack Billings rounded the Town rearguard and Jamie Head in the sticks with ease and tucked the ball home to make it 1-0.
But, it was only 1-0 for a few moments as Town pulled themselves back onto level terms. Danny Webb’s 42nd goal in all competitions, saw him get on the end of James Towell’s flick on and poke the ball home past the stranded Corinthian keeper!
But in what was a frantic four minutes, Corinthian went back in front just 2 minutes later!
Luke Tanner finished off a Corinthian attack, to put the hosts in the lead again. All this, inside 13 minutes.
The first half remained very cagey throughout, with neither side grabbing a foothold. Ashton Campbell’s testing drive at the keeper on 32 minutes, was a good chance for Town.
However, Town did end the Half very strongly and certainly became the more dominate side. There were big shouts for a penalty when Silford’s cross clearly struck the arm of a Corinthian defender, but nothing was given by the officials.
On 40 minutes, Town were forced into a change. Alfie Osborne picked up a knock and Louie Collier came on in his place.
Just before the interval, the ever-lively Collier had a good chance after some great footwork, but his effort was palmed away by the keeper, before McClelland’s follow up cross-come-shot was somehow just dealt with.
The second half couldn’t have started much better for Town, as they were back on level terms on 48 minutes! Collier’s beautiful bit of skill on the left allowed him to run to the byline of the Corinthian goal, before squaring to Campbell, who’s effort was nodded home accidentally by a Corinthian defender!
With Town now on the front foot, they set about to try and get themselves in front.
Captain Jordon Frederick entered the book on 60 minutes.
Jamie Head made a good save to deny a long range Corinthian strike, but Town continued to play well and looked like scoring again.
On 62 minutes, came a massive chance for Town. Webby’s great ball into the box found Collier in space just 8 yards out. However, the keeper got out fantastically to make a great save to deny Town going in front.
However, he couldn’t deny them on 65 minutes, as Town put themselves into the lead for the first time in the game!
Webb showed his class on the right to hook a ball into the box, which saw Ashton Campbell rise to meet it and power a header past the keeper, sparking scenes behind the goal between players and the brilliant travelling support!
With Town now in front and with only 25 minutes to play, they knew it was going to be tough.
Archie McClelland came off on 72 minutes and was replaced by Kieran Turner.
With time ticking on, Corinthian continued to pile on the pressure.
On 75 minutes, they pulled themselves back on to level terms. A long free kick was whipped into the area and headed home by Jack Bath, to make it 3-3.
Despite it now being level, Corinthian we’re beginning to dominate the tie. Town still looked good going forward, with pace on the charge.
The hosts had a couple of speculative efforts go wide as the game continued to tick on.
There were 2 Corinthian yellow cards given in quick succession for 2 fouls on Silford. The first, as he broke away from his own area, he was swiped at horrifically by a Corinthian player, which could’ve been a red.
The second, up at the other box, he was taken out at. However, nothing was conjured up from the free-kick.
With the 4th official raising the board for 4 minutes of added time, it was heartbreak for the Town. Corinthian broke through on the right hand side and slid a ball across the penalty spot. A very, very unfortunate slip saw Corinthian’s Emmanuel Oloyede with space to finish past Head, to make it 4-3.
With injury time still to play, Town still had a few minutes to try and find a way to make it 4-4. Ben Pattie was introduced in place of Dave Murphy.
James Towell let fly from the edge of the area, which saw his shot whistle wide.
A free kick on the left hand side was whipped in towards Pattie, but it was dealt with by the Corinthian backline.
Then, the referee blew that dreaded full time whistle. The Town players sunk to their knees, whilst the Corinthian players celebrated reaching the semi finals, which will see them face Hebburn over 2 legs.
Absolutely heartbreaking stuff for Town, who have been absolutely excellent throughout this run and over the last 5 months. Just Town’s second defeat in that time, both of which have come in the cups.
8 games played in the Vase and 7 wins, with memorable games like Eastbourne, Eynesbury and Bradford along the way. The players have been magnificent, the managers have made the Town proud.
Town go again in the league on Tuesday evening, when they welcome Potton to Bell Close in the league.
A massive thank you goes out to everyone who travelled to Kent, to support the Town. There were more away than home fans by quite some way, so thank you for your support yesterday and throughout the Vase this season.