So my Buildbase FA Vase journey for 2017/18 began in the shadow of docklands at the Mile End Stadium for Tower Hamlets Vs Hackney Wick in an all Essex Senior League East London derby.
Hamlets came into this one full of confidence after winning their last two games, scoring eight in the process, whilst Wick were looking to win for the first time since their opening day success at Burnham Ramblers.
And no doubt both would of fancied a decent run in the competition too, this was the visitors first entry into the competition and didn’t want to exit at the first hurdle.
The opening fifteen minutes saw little action and the first meaningful event came when Hamlets forward Frankie Sinclair and Wick full back Thomas Rebeschini came together and received lengthy treatment, and ended with the visiting full back limping off. (Sinclair carried on but was subbed at half time).
The first chance of a goal came in the 20th minute and Wick should really of gone ahead as a defensive error allowed Jeffrey Idemudia in on goal but host keeper Lee McKnight made a great save to deny him.
And just two minutes later the hosts took the lead when Curtis Pond drove forward before unleashing a terrific effort which rocketed into the top corner and give his side a one goal lead.
Hamlets quickly threatened a second goal and two minutes after going ahead saw a good double save from Manuel Gill deny the home side before Luke With glanced a header onto the top of the Wick crossbar moments later.
The next ten or so minutes saw both sides have sights of goal but as the half drew nearer to its conclusion the visitors looked more and more dangerous.
With two minutes of the half remaining the visitors saw a cutback sliced wide before Hamlets had to head an effort from visiting skipper Simpson Mpalampa off the line, but right on half time Wick did find a leveller when Ibraham Camara hit a dipping effort over keeper McKnight, and the visitors went into the half time break level.
Wick began the second half like the first and three minutes into it almost took the lead as a ball swung into the dangerzone was flicked at goal but keeper McKnight got down well to make a decent save.
Five minutes into the half Hamlets almost got in through Pond but the defender did well to get back and recover before down the other end Wick saw an effort beaten away by McKnight.
Hamlets saw a couple of decent efforts fail to result in a goal just before the hour mark, firstly when after a great crossfield ball was brilliantly controlled, the eventual effort was tipped wide by visitors keeper Gill, and secondly saw a decent corner headed wide from six yards out.
However in the 62nd minute the hosts were to get their noses in front once again when Pond grabbed his second by hitting a left footed effort beyond Gill into the bottom corner of the net.
And Pond should of completed his hat-trick moments later but saw his close range effort thump against the crossbar as the hosts missed the opportunity to put daylight between themselves and their opponents.
With fifteen minutes to go Wick saw skipper Mpalampa send a long range effort a foot wide as they searched for an equaliser in this very competitive derby.
Moments later Hamlets fired an effort over the bar which took a deflection on route, with the corner coming to nothing, and then with just over ten minutes remaining Wick forward Idemudia seemed to nudge Hamlets defender Kayode Tobun into a metal object behind the goal after the hosts player shielded the ball out for a goal kick.
This made Hamlets assistant AJ very cross and he was eventually sent to the stands although he was eventually told to leave the arena by the referee. Idemudia was booked for his part in it and Tobun was ok to continue, which was good to see.
Hamlets attacked thereafter and saw an effort snuffed out as they tried to find a clinching third goal that would finally seal the deal.
They nearly did just that deep into stoppage time but saw keeper Gill save but it proved the final act as not long afterwards the referee brought this tie to an end and it’s Hamlets who will host Thurlow Nunn One side Little Oakley in the Second Qualifying Round.
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