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WAKFIELD 1-1 WEST AUCKLAND
Sat 1 September, 3:00PM, FA Cup Preliminary RoundA replay will be needed on Wednesday night to decide who will progress to the next round of the FA Cup although both sides could have pinched a winner in an action packed injury time. West Auckland though will be kicking themselves for not killing off the game against higher league opposition after spurning several opportunities in a professional display.
Unibond First Division side Wakefield could have started the tie off badly for West Auckland as they came close with a first minute chip from Graham Marchant which was narrowly too high. However West quickly settled and should have taken the lead seconds later when Scott Nicholson ghosted in unmarked but headed agonisingly across the face of goal and wide.
Brian Fairhurst was the next player to come close after a neat one two with Danny Richmond, Fairhurst fired wide although a slid ball across to Garry Barnes could have presented West with an even more appealing opportunity. Handball appeals for a West penalty were turned down and they would have been furious had Chris Howarth's shot rolled wide after he seemingly handled a minute later.
However the best opportunity was amazingly squandered by Garry Barnes when, through one on one with the keeper after the defender was beaten by a Jamie Middleton long clearance, poked the ball wide from 12 yards with the keeper backpeddaling.
A dangerous West free kick in the 23rd minute saw a defender just flick the ball off his head for a corner with Jamie Middleton closing in at the back post. Danny Richmond also saw his effort land on the roof of the net.
West were much the better side but could not make the breakthrough and could have been punished in the last minute of the half when Chris Coupe cut inside and fired an effort narrowly over the bar.
Wakefield started the second half in a confident mood and within 5 minutes a double save prevented the hosts taking the lead. Chris Howarth cut into the area and brought a good save from Mark Bell who then did well to quickly get on his feet and rush out to block Graham Marchant's follow up.
Whilst West had spurned several first half opportunities the first one that came their way 10 minutes into the second half was taken in emphatic fashion through Garry Barnes. Ian Maddison burst onto a loose ball and charged through the defence only for a tackle to send the ball out to the left hand side where Barnes picked up the ball and from 20 yards curled a superb shot past Andy Woods and into the top corner.
Wakefield tried their best to respond and Mark Bell was relieved that Graham Marchant's header was straight at him. West though were looking for the second to give some breathing space and Dale Jardine saw his shot saved before, in the 64th minute, Scott Nicholson headed the ball back into the area and Garry Barnes came in unmarked at the back post only for his downwards header to be tipped over the bar. A minute earlier Demi Kyriacou was inches away from a decent contact as his header flashed wide of goal.
The hosts then punished West for their missed chances when they equalised in the 79th minute - Andy Shuttleworth's corner flying straight despite the large crowd of players in the 6 yard area. After this, West seemed shaken and Wakefield pushed on looking for a winner. Andy Shuttleworth came very close to adding his second in the 81st minute when a free kick flashed wide.
Demi Kyriacou then shot wide with West appealing for handball before 3 minutes from the end Gary Shaw headed over as tension increased. This then turned to frustration when, a minute from time, West Auckland looked to pinch a winner on the break. Sub Lee Ellison released Scott Nicholson but the midfielder who scored in the previous round, saw his shot blocked.
Injury time saw both sides with superb opportunities to pinch the win and hearts were in mouths for both sets of players, management and fans. Firstly in the first minute of stoppage time, Garry Barnes' shot deflected to Lee Ellison, free inside the area, but the experienced forward watched in agony as his shot rolled inches wide. Then Wakefield should have broken West hearts in the 3rd minute of injury time, when a good move saw Tom Bucknall set up to strike the ball from near the penalty spot - the shot cannoned back off the post with Mark Bell beaten and fortunately too quickly for Bucknall to react and he stabbed the rebound wide.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. James Middleton, 5. Michael Waller, 6. Scott Nicholson, 7. Ian Maddison, 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Dale Jardine (15. Lee Ellison 79 mins), 10. Garry Barnes, 11. Kevin Bromley.
Subs Not Used: 12. Danny Robinson, 14. Stuart Owen, 16. Bradley Woods, 17. Lee Hutton