Chertsey Town held
their nerve to win a dramatic penalty shoot-out against Northwich Victoria at a
packed Alwyns Lane to set up an FA Vase Final clash with Cray Valley (PM) on
Non League Finals Day in May, this after a goalless draw saw the sides level
after 210 minutes of action.
The sides had drawn 1-1 back in Cheshire last weekend so had
set this second leg up perfectly, and I crowd of 1,807 packed into Chertsey’s
tiny Alwyns Lane ground with the majority hoping to see the hosts complete the
job and win through to May’s final.
But Northwich would prove a tough nut to crack, and backed
by 200 or so fans who had travelled from Cheshire, they knew they were capable
of winning this tie themselves, and it was they who had the first effort which saw
Chertsey keeper Nick Jupp have to make a smart save to his left to keep out a
header.
The hosts responded and saw the dangerous Dale Binns send in
a ball which found Jake Baxter, but the forward could only flick wide of the
near post, before Northwich saw Robert Dorans get into the box but he could
only drag his effort wide of the far post.
Doran then sent a dangerous ball into the six yard box but a
host defender just managed to get in front of any attackers and flick the ball
clear of danger, before a Chertsey corner saw Lewis Driver head goalwards, but
it was straight at Vic’s keeper Daniel Taberner who saved comfortably.
And then a good Chertsey move ended with a cross being
overhit, and it meant the teams went into the changing rooms still locked to
together on aggregate and still with all to play for in this tie.
Half Time Chertsey
Town 0 Northwich Victoria 0 (aggregate score
1-1)
Thev visitors saw a couple of early second half efforts blocked
before down the other end Binns almost caught Taberner out at his near post,
however the keeper managed to get down well to save the effort that was
creeping in.
The home side then swung in a free kick which looped off a
defender and just wide of the far post, and from the resulting corner The
Curfews sent another header wide of the target, and then a powerful effort from
centre half Michael Peacock from miles out flew a foot or so wide of the
Northwich net.
Northwich then attacked and saw a Doran effort blocked
before the loose ball fell to Joel Brownhill but he could only lift his effort
over, and then Vic attacked again and saw a Brownhill backheel go into the path
of the incoming Ryan Winder, but he could only fire straight at Jupp.
Jupp then had to make a brilliant save to deny Brownhill
after the Vic’s attacker and jinked his way past a couple of defenders, whilst
down the other end Driver sent a powerful header at goal but saw Taberner save
well above his head.
The hosts then sent another effort at goal, but this was straight
at Taberner, before the visitors keeper made a terrific stop to his right to
keep out another Driver effort before Baxter then got in for the hosts but saw
his lofted effort saved by Taberner once again.
Chertsey were then screaming for what looked like a
stonewall penalty, but the referee waved play on, and then the hosts headed wide
soon after as they finished strongly, but they could not find a late winner meaning
the tie would go to extra time.
Full Time (after 90
minutes) Chertsey Town 0 Northwich Victoria 0 (aggregate score 1-1)
So could either side find a winner in the extra half hour,
well Doran had a good chance for the visitors early in the period but could
only lift over, before Chertsey pounced on some sloppy defensive work from Vic
and laid in Baxter, but he could only send his half volley over the bar.
Peacock then headed a hosts corner over, before down the
other end substitute Jordan Darr found himself in on goal for the visitors but
struck his effort straight at Jupp, and it meant we still had no goals heading into
the final fifteen minutes of this tie.
The second period of extra time saw Chertsey somehow pass up
an opportunity as a ball right across the face of goal hit someone on the line
before falling into the grateful arms of Taberner, whilst Northwich so nearly won
it themselves two minutes from the end when Doran found himself in, but his
effort was saved by a sprawling Jupp.
It all meant the tie would have to be decided on the dreaded
penalty shoot-out, and at 2-1 to the hosts Northwich missed their second,
handing the advantage to the home side.
Each side then converted their next two penalties meaning The Curfews
could win it by netting their final spot kick.
And they kept their nerve to convert and win the shootout
5-3 and cue mass celebrations amongst the home contingent as players, fans,
management all piled on top of each other, whilst Northwich fell to the floor
in despair, it was a shame their had to be a looser here, as both sides gave
absolutely everything in this one.
But it’s Chertsey Town who reach Wembley to take on Cray
Valley (PM) and make it all southern final for the first time for years. Should be a good final that on Non League Finals
Day in May.
Full Time (aet)
Chertsey Town 0 Northwich Victoria 0 (aggregate
score 1-1; Chertsey Town won 5-3 on penalties)
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