So my last football match in the UK for three weeks before I head over to Norway was a local all ESL FA Vase affair at Leslie Field as Burnham Ramblers hosted Sporting BengalUnited in a 1st Qualifying Round Replay.
The sides had drawn 1-1 at Mile End on Saturday meaning next round opponents Halstead Town would have to wait a little bit longer before knowing their opponents in the 2nd Qualifying Round tie. The visitors had the first chance within the first minute when they struck just wide of the post.
Ramblers responded when they headed just over from a corner on 4 minutes but the visitors then went oh so close on 7 minutes when a free kick came back off the post with Ramblers keeper Godwin-Green rooted to the spot. Moments later good football from the hosts saw an effort at goal force Bengal’s keeper into making a good save down to his left at the near post.
On 11 minutes the hosts had a great chance to take the lead as a ball into the box was knocked wide from close range when it seemed easier to score and then a minute later the hosts broke down the left and winger Paxman tried to chip over the keeper but he saved before Bengal struck wide from distance. It was a frantic start with the game being played at 100 miles an hour.
Just before the quarter hour mark Bengal attacked again and Castano got the ball before turning inside the box and thumping his effort into the side netting as another chance went amiss. It had certainly not been a dull opening to this encounter and on 26 minutes the visitors, who looked dangerous going forward, attacked down the left through Castano who then cut inside and shot towards goal although it looked likely to be a comfortable save for Godwin-Green until it took a horrible bounce right in front of the keeper and almost caught him out but he managed to tip wide just about.
However it was the hosts who were to finally open the scoring in this high tempo affair just before the half hour mark when a throw into the box was controlled by Ashley Hawkins who then turned his marker and fired past the keeper and give Ramblers a slight advantage.Burnham Ramblers 1 Sporting Bengal United 0.
Nine minutes before half time another great chance for the visitors saw the ball fall to the visitors on the edge of the box fortuitously but after rounding Godwin-Green they could only hit into the side netting from an acute angle. Two minutes later great play by the hosts saw a ball into the box cleared by the visiting defence and then from the resulting corner Bengal had to be alert to block another effort. They could do nothing with the next effort however as the hosts doubled their lead four minutes before half time when Ashley Hawkins got in behind the defence and smacked a rocket of a shot past the keeper in off the bar for a great strike.Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 0.
For all of Sporting’s endeavour and their missed chances they found themselves two goals behind and just before half time they got in behind the defence after a cracking pass over the full backs head but the defender to his credit recovered to make a crucial tackle and then moments later miscommunication between keeper and defender almost cost Bengal but the resulting shot was cleared off the line and this breathless half came to an end.
Half Time Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 0
Early in the second half Ramblers headed over a corner but the visitors then got themselves a lifeline two minutes into the half when a ball played over to the near side of the box saw the ball knocked across goal to the far post where Carlos Castano tapped home. Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 1.
The visitors had their tails well and truly up now and on 52 minutes a great ball into the Ramblers box just invaded attackers coming in but they nearly fell further behind when Hawkins beat the offside trap, although it did look offside, but saw the keeper saves with his legs. Then moments later Hawkins lifted over from a decent position. Just before the hour mark Sporting were level as Carlos Castano was played through down the left and he steadied himself before finishing high past Godwin-Green and the tie was level once again. Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 2.
Four minutes after this leveller the visitors completed the turnaround when they went in front for the first time in the tie as a free kick swung into the box fell to Toib Adeyemi who swept the ball home from from close range past Godwin-Green. Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 3.
With just over twenty minutes to go the Mile End side grabbed another goal after another sweeping attack saw Prince William played in and he cooly finished past Godwin-Green from inside the box to complete a remarkable comeback and four goals in 22 minutes to boot as well.Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 4.
They almost made it five minutes later as more fantastic football from the visitors freed them down the right but the effort fizzed just over the bar. Then came a terrible moment for the hosts when Joe Paxman went down after going into a tackle with an opposing player and it soon became apparent it was a serious injury as a stretcher was called for followed by phone calls for an ambulance. The prognosis was a suspected broken ankle for the winger and I would like to wish Joe all the best in his recovery.
After a ten minute delay the game restarted and the hosts almost scored moments after the restart as the keeper misjudged the ball allowing Ramblers in but the effort was hooked well over the bar and then with only a few minutes remaining Ramblers found themselves clean through although it looked miles offside and the ball was squared to a sub whose effort was saved by the keeper. After several minutes of stoppage time the referee blew for full time and Sporting go through to face Halstead Town at home on October 3rd.
Full Time Burnham Ramblers 2 Sporting Bengal United 4
Burnham Ramblers: Godwin-Green, Ring, Jude, Beale, Hardie, Wilson, Day, Judd, Paxman, Barnett, Hawkins
Subs: Long, Nobbs, Pleasance, Keys, Smith
Subs: Long, Nobbs, Pleasance, Keys, Smith
Sporting Bengal United: Team Unknown
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