A brace from Sam Olawale plus strikes from Jimmy Burnside and Micky Lyons eventually saw Newport Pagnell Town through to the next round of the Buildbase FA Vase after ending Coggeshall United’s run in the competition at Willen Road.
The hosts were beginning their Vase run for this season after doing so well in last season’s competition thus receiving a bye into this round, and they had begun the season well, sitting second in the Spartan South Midlands Premier.
Coggeshall of course had already battled through three rounds to get here, with the Step Six side knocking out Step Five opposition in every round so far in the shape of Cockfosters, Long Melford and Brantham Athletic, but this would be a big test against The Swans and their hardest yet in this season’s competition.
The early exchanges saw the hosts fire an effort over after a poor defensive clearance, and their were also a couple of late tackles too from either side as both teams looked to try and lay down an early marker in appalling conditions at Willen Road.
The Swans were now exerting some pressure on the visitors although the Weavers did see a near post effort palmed wide by the keeper, and then back up the other end the hosts headed over from a corner whilst Coggeshall saw an effort screwed well wide of the post. It was certainly a good battle this one.
The hosts then saw an effort go straight at the keeper after the ball fell to them in a decent position, whilst a cross into the box caused some issues amongst the hosts defence, and then Coggeshall went so close to taking the lead five minutes before the break when a shot across goal went just wide of the far post.
The Weavers were actually ending the half better and broke down the right but the eventual effort was weak and straight at the keeper, and then suddenly The Swans almost netted themselves from close range but the chance was scrambled clear.
But, just as the half looked like it would end goalless, the hosts netted in first half stoppage time as a ball in saw the keeper come but not collect as Burnside managed to get to the ball first and head home and see the home side lead at the break.
Half Time Newport Pagnell Town 1 Coggeshall United 0
Coggeshall had a golden chance to level early in the second half when getting one on one but the keeper saved with his legs, and down the other end Newport saw an effort go straight at the keeper, and then the hosts forced a diving save from the keeper and you felt the next goal would be crucial in this one.
And that goal went to the hosts in the 56th minute when an effort from Olawale found it’s way in after keeper and defender crashed into each other attempting to block the effort, and the hosts now had some breathing space in this one.
The Swans quickly looked for a third to possibly end this tie, and headed a decent chance wide of the post, whilst a scramble inside the hosts box ended with an effort from the visitors going off target.
Coggeshall brought on striker Mwetsi Matangi on the hour mark to try and get them back into this contest, and three minutes later he headed home from close range to reduce the deficit and then another three minutes after that sent another brilliant header into the far corner, and suddenly the tie was all square at 2-2.
Could the visitors possibly go on and cause a huge surprise? Well.....no, as after the hosts had seen a decent effort saved, they restored their lead in the 72nd minute in spectacular style as Olawale cut inside before curling a wonderful effort into the far corner, and it meant the visitors would have to chase an equaliser.
And whilst trying to do this they were caught upfield and saw Burnside break free and although his effort was saved, the ball was parried into the path of Lyons who slotted into the empty net, and now the hosts had a two goal cushion once again.
The Weavers never gave up and sent a brilliant ball towards the back post which was volleyed off target, and then moments later sent a looping header back into the six yard box and just as it looked as if they would head home, a hosts defender managed to get their to head over his own goal and thwart the visitors a third.
Coggeshall were always in danger of being caught on the break though as they pushed for a way back into the contest, and the hosts fired over after catching them on the break, before seeing another effort saved and then firing another effort off target.
The whistle went not long after though and the hosts had finally seen off a big challenge from the visitors and took their place in the Third Round Proper of the competition. A good effort from The Weavers, but their decent run came to an end today.
Full Time Newport Pagnell Town 4 Coggeshall United 2
Was also good to meet some people today in the non-league game, including Stewart Bailey (photo below) who is the man on the mic at Willen Road, always good to meet with fellow people enthusiastic about the game we all love!!! Also, many thanks to Rob Manaley for keeping me company on the bus to and from Willen Road, glad that elusive Number One bus turned up both times!!!! Woooooooo…………….
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