Eastwood Town 1 Willenhall Town 2

It is the competition that fires up every footballer’s imagination. It provides many a tale of giant killings and remarkable stories and for Willenhall Town, this FA Cup preliminary round tie proved to be no exception.

There was the tall, imposing Eastwood side beaten by the smallest man on the pitch inside a minute. The home team’s fight back, then the substitute who comes on to score the winning goal with his first touch of the ball. All tales to add to the most famous domestic cup competition in the world and give the Red’s a home first qualifying round tie against Barwell on September 18^th.

It was a dream start for the visitors as they took just 53 seconds to unlock the Eastwood defence. Karl Edwards fed the ball out to Nathan Jackson on the right and his cross into the box saw the diminutive Jason Smith nip in between two defenders to plant a firm header past a stunned Danny Bryant.

Looking visibly shell shocked, Eastwood took some time to get into their stride and Willenhall were more than eager to exploit their advantage. The Badger’s could have been in further trouble moments later when from a corner the ball fell to the feet of Craig Slater, but he just could not readjust in time to get in a clean shot at goal and over ran the ball from an excellent position in the area.

The home side recovered their composure to gain an equaliser in the 23^rd minute. A free kick, conceded by Slater, brought the games only yellow card for the young defender, but the Red’s suffered a much harsher penalty when Peter Knox headed in the set piece from twelve yards out.

Kelvin Mushambi had a great chance to fire the home side ahead before half time after a swift move had Willenhall stretched but he dragged his effort well wide of the target.

Willenhall introduced Mark Creighton for Kevin Curran at the start of the second half and the central defender who has just returned from a coaching role in the States, slotted into a back three formation that saw Richard Colwell pushed into a more midfield role.

That tactic brought Willenhall more of the play and Eastwood survived when a Vaughan Thomas header beat Bryant, but James Whitehead was on the line to head clear.

Another inspired move by the management team led to the most decisive point of the game. Eastwood conceded a free kick some 25 yards from goal and Willenhall brought on John Quilt for Justin Tyrell. The big man strode leisurely up from the bench, placed the ball down and proceeded to stroke the ball into the top corner of the net to send the visiting contingent in a 159 strong crowd wild.

Eastwood threw everything into the search for an equaliser and substitute Michael Reynolds almost earned the Badger’s a replay when his dipping shot from distance clipped the Willenhall crossbar. But despite an amazing six minutes of added time, the home side could not find a way through a resolute Red’s defence.

Willenhall Town: Vaughan, Colwell, Colcombe, Slater, Thomas, Curran (Creighton), Swann, Jackson, Edwards, Tyrell (Quilt), Smith (Whitcombe). Subs not used. Webb, Myers.

Russell Brown
Willenhall Town Press/Programme Editor