F.A. VASE 2ND ROUND PROPER Titan Recruitment Stadium, Oak Park, Lichfield Rd,
Walsall, WS9 9NP 12th November 2022 3:00 pm kick-off
Today I have decided to watch the renowned cup fighters of Walsall Wood play against the North West Counties Div 1 visitors from Cheshire, Sandbach United. It's in the FA Vase, my favourite cup competition.
Walsall Wood managed to reach the Vase semi-final two seasons ago and no doubt, Wembley will be their target this season. They are going well in the League, topping the Midland Football Premier Division with just one defeat so far.
The weather forecast is a favourable one, with plenty of sunshine.
I have no troubles with my rail journeys to New Street and then Walsall stations and I have a meal in ,The Crossing', the retail section of St. Pauls church and then hop on to the No. 10 bus from the nearby bus station.
It's only a 15 minute journey to Walsall Wood and the bus stop is in front of the ground. Soon I am paying my entrance fee and buying a match programme, which has a remembrance day cover.
I have plenty of time to get a cup of tea and then I wander over to the other side of the ground so as to have my back to the strong sunshine.I start up a conversation with a fellow groundhopper who turns out to be an Arsenal fan from Welwyn Garden City and has come to watch this match before going Molyneux to watch Arsenal play in the evening Premiership game against Wolves.
I spot a few Sandbach United supporters in the ground too.
The 2 teams come out on to the pitch with 'The Wood' in their usual all red strip while Sandbach are in their first team colours of blue & white striped shirts, blue shorts and socks.
There is an announcement about the recent passing of a great club servant called John Sylvester. He had helped the club many times over the years and was responsible for the printing of the teams match day programmes by his printing company and was a long standing club committee member. Then a minutes silence is duly observed to commemorate the fallen of the 2 World Wars and then play commences.
They home side are dictating the play and score the first goal after 9 minutes when Kevin Henagou scores from close in after receiving a pass from the right.
Some argy bargy takes place on the touch line after 18 minutes after a hefty challenge and several bookings are given out.
The home team are well on top and they go close again when Henaglou hits the post with another effort.
Right at the end of this half Walsall are awarded a penalty after their No.7 is brought down in the area by the Sandbach keeper, who then duly makes amends by saving the spot kick.
So it's 1-0 to Walsall Wood in what has been a tough, physical and sometimes feisty match so far. Although Sandbach play at a level below that of their hosts, they are certainly making them fight all the way.
Sandbach United who come from a small market town of approximately 18,000 people in east Cheshire, were formed in 2004 after the merger of Sanbach Ramblers and Sandbach Albion. Last season saw their best effort in the FA Vase so far, when they reached the 3rd round proper and they currently hold 9th place in their division.
When play resumes it's 'The Wood' who are pressing to double their lead and they go close when their No. 3 has a shot tipped over the bar.
They have a goal disallowed for offside on the hour before Sandbach have an effort saved by Wood keeper, Callum Smith.
Walsall Wood double their lead when that man Henaglou pounces again to head in a deep cross from the right at the far post.
Smith makes another good save to deny the visitors getting back into this game before Hayden Purves surely puts this tie to bed with a break away goal, started with a cleared Sandbach corner that was rapidly moved down the pitch.
Sandbach have a header saved by Smith before Kaden May scores with a header just before the full time whistle is blown.
The visitors kept battling to the end but Walsall Wood have come out a worthy winners to get themselves in to the hat for the 3rd round draw for the 6th consecutive season!
This Monday evening I have found out that they have been drawn away to fellow MFL Premier side, Highgate United, who have been showing some good form recently.
Match Attendance: 102
Entrance Fee: £6 (£4 concession)
Match Programme: £2
Match Entertainment: 7.5/10
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