Match Report
WEST AUCKLAND 1-0 NEWCASTLE BENFIELD B.P.
Sat 29 Sept, 3:00PM, FA Cup Second Qualifying RoundMatch Sponsor: Richard & Nigel - Pennine Way Garage
Scott Nicholson headed 10 man West Auckland into the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup after a tight and sometimes fiery game that saw Jonathan Milroy sent off.
The game started in similar fashion to that of Wednesday's match - very tight with few chances as both sides made sure not to concede early on. Mark Rasmussen lashed a shot wide early on before, in the 22nd minute, Jonathan Milroy fired a loose ball wide of goal.
Milroy was booked in the 30th minute for knocking the ball out of Benfield player's arms as he looked to take a quick free kick. This was to later prove costly for the forward. However the game boiled over a minute later when the referee did not award a blatant foul on Scott Nicholson who then, in a battle to retain possession, went in hard on the Benfield opponent. As tempers frayed and the player received treatment, and was able to continue, Nicholson was promptly shown the yellow card.
After Brian Fairhurst blazed a free kick wide, Benfield had the first good chance of the game - a long ball raced onto by Brian Doddsworth whose shot was well saved to his low right by Mark Bell. The teams went in at the break level with the game, once again, looking as if just one goal would decide it.
The second half began with Garry Barnes firing well wide before Gareth McAllindon cut back inside and shot wide. West's chances of progress appeared to be hindered in only the 12th minute of the second half when Jonathan Milroy tussled for possession and kicked for the ball. He only succeeded in tripping Phil Lumsden who once again angered home fans by a theatrical reaction to the foul. The referee then produced the second yellow card for Milroy and West were left with another 33 minutes of normal time to see out with ten men.
West Auckland fans were once again incensed by the referee who failed to award a penalty after Kev Leighton pulled back, Garry Barnes who had turned him just inside of the box. Benfield could have added further misery had Mark Rasmussen's ambitious effort not flown over the bar.
Just as it seemed West's luck was out, the winner came for the hosts in the 71st minute. Brian Fairhurst fired in the corner and Scott Nicholson headed across the keeper and into the net to cue jubilation for West Auckland.
Ian Maddison could have secured the game 10 minutes from the end from Brian Fairhurst's long diagonal free kick but he could not keep down his volley on the stretch. Following this Benfield threw all the could at West Auckland but the defence held firm with several good clearances.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. James Middleton, 5. Scott Nicholson, 6. Michael Waller, 7. Danny Key, 8. Ian Maddison, 9. Jonathan Milroy, 10. Garry Barnes (16. Thomas Louden 79 mins), 11. Stuart Owen
Subs Not Used: 12. Bradley Woods, 14. David Bayles, 15. Danny Robinson, 17. Lee Hutton
Pictures