West Auckland are sweating on the fitness of several players before Wednesday's crunch FA Cup replay with Wakefield.
Ian Maddison and Scott Nicholson are struggling with ankle injuries while Kevin Bromley has a knock but is expected to recover in time.
Forward Garry Barnes suffered concussion and was unable to train on Monday whilst his strike partner Dale Jardine is definitely out after a double break of his ankle playing Sunday football.
WEST AUCKLAND 1-0 WAKEFIELD
Wed 5 Sept, 7:45PM, FA Cup Preliminary Round ReplayMatch Sponsor: Frank Hudson Transport
West Auckland edged out Unibond side Wakefield to progress to face Winterton Rangers in the First Qualifying Round. Unlike Saturday, it was a game of few chances, and appeared to be heading to extra time before Ian Maddison popped up with a winner.
Garry Barnes who scored a stunning strike on Saturday, had strong appeals for a foul in the penalty area turned down in the 7th minute as West Auckland looked for an early breakthrough. His strike partner for the evening was Jonathan Milroy, returning for his first game this season, and he was closing in on making the breakthrough when, after beating his defender, he was crudely brought down as he raced in from the touchline towards goal although no card was shown.
It was Milroy who posed most threat for West Auckland and in the 27th minute he burst into the area but could not quite pick out Garry Barnes with his cross and the danger was cleared. He then sent a snapshot over the bar as West looked, once again, more threat than their Unibond opponents.
Brian Fairhurst's cross curled wide as West struggled to fashion a golden chance whilst their solid back line had a temporary glitch when Michael Waller had to be replaced after a hamstring injury, Scott Nicholson dropping back into the defence.
The second half started in similar vain to the first with strong handball appeals for a West Auckland penalty turned down. However West had a good spell of possession around this time and began to create opportunities. Two minutes later Jonathan Milroy cut inside off a quick throw and although he scuffed his shot to the keeper it gave West the lift they needed.
Kevin Bromley nearly set up Ian Maddison in the 62nd minute but, just as it looked like it would open up for Maddison, a defender blocked his run and the keeper claimed the ball. The first golden chance of the night fell to Jonathan Milroy when he struck a loose ball against the post with the keeper out of goal after Kevin Bromley had challenged the keeper from Danny Richmond's through ball.
Gary Shaw pulled a free kick well wide in a rare effort from the visitors whilst Danny Robinson blazed his shot well over the bar as both sides struggled for the breakthrough. West had another golden chance though in the 76th minute when Jonathan Milroy was sent clear with Wakefield appealing for offside but pulled his shot wide from 18 yards.
With West spurning the best two chances, the game looked to be heading to extra time until Lee Ellison and Ian Maddison combined for the winner in the 78th minute. Ellison fed Maddison who had cut in from the right, he took it past the keeper and knocked the ball in from close range. Wakefield tried to apply the pressure but there was no way through the West back line as the hosts progressed to the next round.
1. Mark Bell, 2. Michael Heckley, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. James Middleton, 5. Michael Waller (12. Danny Robinson 44 mins), 6. Scott Nicholson, 7. Ian Maddison, 8. Danny Richmond, 9. Jonathan Milroy, 10. Garry Barnes (15. Lee Ellison 67 mins), 11. Kevin Bromley.
Subs Not Used: 14. Stuart Owen, 16. Bradley Woods, 17. Lee Hutton
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