BRIMSDOWN ROVERS 2 IPSWICH WANDERERS 3

FA VASE 2ND ROUND

SATURDAY 18TH NOVEMBER 2006

It was a perfect day for football and many Wanderer’s fans made the trip to Hertfordshire for the eagerly awaited FA Carlsberg Vase tie against Brimsdown Rovers.

Wanderers lined up with a 5 4 1 formation with Lee Smith and Danny Smy starting the game and Rene Swann sitting on the bench,  Robbie Stannard was also on the bench as their were concerns about the fitness of Jamie Stannard.

Wanderers won a corner in the second minute and Terry Layton hit his shot wide, it looked as though this was going to be a close game.  However Brimsdown took the lead as early as the 4th minute, Lee Smith missed his clearance and Danny Bleach managed to get in between Smith and Stannard and he rounded the keeper before slotting into an empty net.  It was not the start that Wanderers wanted and Brimsdown are known for attacking and scoring early goals. The game then evened out into who could win the midfield battle and both teams were still trying to settle down.

After 20 minutes Rene Swann came on replacing Alan Mills so that Wanderers had more of an attacking option.  Taylor-Forbes then showed some trickery on the left wing but his cross was well cleared by Mark Goldfinch.  Wanderers won a free kick on 25 minutes outside the Brimsdown area, Danny Smy took the kick quickly but it was deflected off the wall and off a Wanderers player for a goal kick.  This led to a number of free kicks being awarded and within 5 minutes there were bookings for Bleach of Brimsdown and Rene Swann and Danny Smy all for separate incidents.  On half an hour Lee Owen produced some skilful play and he played the ball to Rene Swann who shot over the bar,  it was encouraging signs from a Wanderers point of view.  Then Dean Tourney-Godfrey had a shot moments later which was blocked.

Brimsdown had a chance before half time but the shot was wide and the referee blew for half-time with Wanderers going in 1-0 down in what was a very even first half

Brimsdown Rovers 1 Ipswich Wanderers 0

Wanderers kicked off the second half hoping to get an equaliser quickly,  once again it was evenly balanced but after 53 minutes the ball was given away in midfield and Scott Atkinson cut in from the right side and fired into the far corner, Mark Goldfinch was unlucky not to get a touch to stop the ball from going in.

Sraight away Lee Smith went on a driving run forward and was unfortunate not to score when his shot hit the post, Wanderers persistence paid off and they were awarded a penalty after 55 minutes when Scott was adjudged to have handled inside the area and Wanderers were awarded a penalty. Dean Tourney-Godfrey stepped up and comfortably scored blasting into the goalkeepers left hand corner.

After the goal Brimsdown were awarded a free kick on the Wanderers right side but Jamie Stannard confidently punched clear. Brimsdown then had a chance on the hour mark but the shot was hit into the side netting.          

Atkinson also had a shot blocked after good work on the wing by Akinnalio. With 20 minutes left Wanderers started to turn on the style and were creating chances. A cross by Lee Owen after 71 was held by keeper Buck with Rene Swann in close attention,  Lee Owen then provided another cross moments later which was headed wide by Dean Tourney-Godfrey, Simon Hyde then had a shot wide after 75 minutes but three minutes later Wanderers went level after a long clearance by Jamie Stannard was headed back by Rene Swann, it fell to the feet of Dean Tourney-Godfrey who smashed the ball home from the edge of the area. It may have been a route one goal but it was finished very well by Wanderers number 10 for a deserved equaliser.

Lee Smith was sent off for a second caution after 79 minutes after a foul on Taylor-Forbes, who was a threat on the wing due to his pace.  Wanderers won a corner after 80 minutes but it went across the goal without a final touch being applied. The game was starting to fade and extra time was looming when Wanderers grabbed the winner in the final minutes of the game, Rene Swann pulled the ball back and Lee Owen pounced on some hesitant defending and burst into the area and making no mistake with his finish.  It sent the Wanderers fans behind the goal into delirium and witnessing a real smash and grab. The final whistle sounded a few minutes later and Wanderers booked their place in the next round.

It was a great day out in North London and the players deserve a lot of credit for showing great character to win 2-3 after being two goals down.

Brimsdown Rovers 1 Ipswich Wanderers 0

The party started in the bar after the game with all the Wanderers in jubilant mood, it was a great sight seeing JC donning the Lee Owen wig!!  The hosts were a great bunch of people and made us all feel very welcome and we all really enjoyed their hospitality.  Now for the next round!!!

1 Jamie Stannard

2 Lee Smith

3 Sean Bell

4 Mark Goldfinch

5 Alan Mills (sub 15)

6 Marc Lowe

7 Danny Smy (sub46)

8 Simon Hyde

9 Dean Tournay-Godfrey

10 Lee Owen

11 Neil Shade

12 Ricky Martin (sub 46)

14 Rene Swann (sub 15)

15 Fabio Botti

16 Gary Bennett

GK Robbie Stannard

Goals: Tournay-Godfrey (2, [1pen]), Owen

Bookings: Smy, Swann

Sent Off: Smith (2 cautions)