Reds on Cup trail

Willenhall Town 1-0 Blackstones

By Martyn Simpson

Willenhall made heavy weather of this FA Cup tie, against their Lincolnshire opponents who adopted a physical approach to the game. It was a tactic often used by Willenhall last season, with more than a modicum of success, but Blackstones lacked a cutting edge relying on a solid defence to try and force a replay.

Willenhall’s additions to the squad over the summer are showing signs of starting to gel together, and although the second half saw Willenhall fail to hit the standards achieved during Tuesday’s win over Sutton Coldfield, the solid defence that is becoming the backbone of the side was rarely under any considerable pressure, and Vaughan Thomas eased back into the Reds rearguard after many months out with injury. His introduction from the bench came earlier than expected, replacing the injured Dean Perrow after just 13 minutes.

It signalled a reshuffle to the team, as Sean Platt moved out to the right flank, and Nicky Campbell joined John Quilt in attack. Perrow should have given the Reds the lead after 7 minutes, but volleyed a Quilt flick on over the bar. That wasn’t the first action of the game though, as the hard-working Holland was crudely fouled twice inside the opening sixty seconds much to the annoyance of the Willenhall bench. Though no action was taken, Stones midfielder Gareth Williams seemed hell bent on an afternoon seeing just how far he could push referee Mr. Caswell, who managed to surprise with the degree of leniency shown at times.

The hosts just seemed to want to roll their sleeves up and get on with it – perhaps a marked contrast to the antics that occurred in some games last season – and the chances came thick and fast. The withdrawal of Perrow may have seen the Reds lack potency, but there was plenty of endeavour and creativity in the side. A cross to the back post on 17 minutes saw Quilt have a header scrambled away, and a minute later Nicky Campbell’s teasing cross again found Quilt at the far stick but his effort was deflected and saved.

Just two minutes later, the tireless Lee Vaughan went foraging down the right flank, and cut the ball back to the well placed Quilt. His shot struck a post but Platt eventually turned the ball home only to be deemed offside.

Dan Jolly raced through for the visitors on 27 minutes, but was forced into shooting from an acute angle, which turned out to be just about his side’s only shot on target all afternoon. Quilt was next up with a chance, capitalising on Mark Wood treading on the ball. Quilt perhaps chose the wrong option in attempting a chip with the goal seemingly at his mercy, and so the United Counties side breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The visitors upped the antics in terms of physical tactics, and soon Williams, Wood and Lee Booker all picked up cautions.

After the interval, Willenhall became a little more erratic with regards to passing and creativity, but on 63 minutes Holland picked the ball up in the visitors half, and unleashed a screamer from 30 yards to edge the Reds in front. Campbell’s clever shot on the turn just moments later could have doubled the advantage as Blackstones wobbled, but they didn’t buckle, and rarely troubled Andy De Bont’s goal, allowing him a third clean sheet since rejoining the club last week.

Vaughan almost had the last laugh with just four minutes left on the clock, as he picked up a loose ball and hit a speculative effort that was caught by Ian Flavell just as it looked that the ball may sail narrowly under the crossbar. In the event, Willenhall had to settle for the single goal, which was enough to earn a home clash against Malvern Town on 10^th September.

Reds line-up: De Bont; Platt, Newall, Khela; Campbell, Holland, Sheppard (Danks 58), Rochester, Vaughan; Perrow (Thomas 13), Quilt (Rowe 66). Subs not used: Egginton, Chambers

Blackstones line up: Flavell; Sheehan, Wood, Blowers, Booker; Doyle, Matthews (Ridout 21), Williams, Gilsenan; Nelson, Jolly (Thompson 68). Sub not used: Glover