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No.49 - Sat. 29th March 2008; FA Vase Semi-Final 2nd Leg 3.00pm at Bloomfields, Quainton Road, Needham Mkt, Suffolk. (Att: 1245 - record; Admn: £6; Prog: 60pp, £1) |
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View matchday images 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Needham Market (0) 0 Kirkham & Wesham (0) 1 (2-4 on aggreg) 'Come on Daddy!' Substitute Matt Walwyn fired Kirkham & Wesham into an FA Vase Wembley Final date on Sunday May 11 and sank the hearts of Needham Market with an injury time money spinner for the Lancashire side in front of a ground record crowd. Sub Walwyn was handed the simplest of chances to side foot his team to Wembley when fellow sub Ritchie Allen laid the chance for him on a plate. Needham did get the ball into the Kirkham net after 71 minutes but sub Nathan Szyszlyk’s effort was adjudged offside - it was the little bit of luck Kirkham needed. Victory for Kirkham had never been so hard earned with at times a backs to the wall display that saw their defence hold out the home side in a second-half onslaught in which the Suffolk side threw all but the kitchen sink at the Kirkham rearguard. For Kirkham this is a realisation of a dream, no a fairy tale that started back in September against Worsborough Bridge at Kellamergh Park and nine rounds later they find themselves at the foot of the famous Wembley steps. Their May 11 date will be against another Rigeons Eastern Premier Division side, Lowestoft Town who in their second-leg on Tyneside lost 3-0 to Whitley Bay but went through to Wembley 4-3 on aggregate having won their home leg a week ago 4-0. According to the K&W website, boss Mick Fuller said afterwards: “For once this week l’ll sleep well tonight. This is a massive achievement for everyone at this football club. “It’s the dream of dreams and Peter Pan couldn’t have written a better story.”
The match, played in very cold blustery conditions, was watched by a club record crowd of over 1200. This included many away fans who had made the long trip from Blackpool having left the seaside town at around 6am! We stood alongside one of the player's wives and her young son during the second half. The little fellow managed on a few occasions to climb out of his of his buggy, lean onto the railing and shout 'Come on Daddy!' as he caught a glimpse of his hero. At full time both were re-united for a proper hug as the away fans and players celebrated their success in the centre circle. A great moment. Many spectators had the opportunity to take a look at the famous 'Vase' trophy itself which was on (secure) display in a small marquee pitched behind the goal nearest the entrance. A superb souvenir 60 page programme penned by the joint editors Bev Dorling and Mark Coleman, was issued for the game priced at only £1. This came complete with three pages of colour photos showing action from the club's fifth and sixth round matches played against St. Ives and Merstham respectively. Despite the large number of adverts patronising local businessses there's still plenty of club news, reports and stats to make this a decent effort. Refreshments were available from both the club tea bar and an outside catering van. The cold weather made for brisk business! Since my last visit to Bloomfields for a Jewson Eastern Counties League game (over ten years ago now on 17/08/96 v Swaffham Town, result 3-1), the club, as you would expect, has developed it's ground quite considerably. Hidden amongst the bungalows and smart semis on the Quianton Road estate, the site is now completely enclosed on all sides. In addition to the small cantilevered main stand there is now a long low cover running between the half-way line and goal line opposite and there are a couple of smaller shelters behind the goal at the entrance end. No doubt the facilities here have been approved by ground graders as the club prepares to move up the pyramid should they gain promotion at the end of the season. Let's hope that they achieve this after such a magnificent effort and being so close to reaching an FA Vase Final. |
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edited on 08/04/08 |
