Report

Saturday, 18 February 2012

F.A. Vase Round 5
Tividale FC v Peterborough Northern Star.

After a short storm before the match the ground staff worked hard to clear the surface water from playing area, so that the pitch was playable.

In the first 15 minutes both sides looked to attack and it was clear that there was not a lot of difference between either teams.

The match exploded into action after 19 minutes when PNS skipper Jimmy Dean was sent off after receiving a second yellow card after another robust challenge. However throughout the game there were a number of minor incidents and I’m sure that some of these were born out of sheer frustration due to the fact that the home team, were unable to unlock the brilliant PNS defence.

Half Time Tividale 0 Peterborough Northern Star 0

The second half continued the same as the first with the home team pushing forward looking for that all important goal, while PNS always looked dangerous every time they pushed forward. Tividale brought on all three subs but this proved to work against then when towards the end of the 90 minutes, one of their forwards was injured and spent the rest of the match hobbling on the wing. PMS brought on their first sub midway through the half and he nearly scored with his first touch.

PNS then had an opportunity to win the match just before the end of the 90 minutes but after a good reflex save by the home keeper the ball was cleared.

Full Time Tividale 0 Peterborough Northern Star 0

In extra time PNS brought on their 2^nd sub replacing one midfield player with another. Tividale threw everything into the game to try and get a result on the day but the PNS goalkeeper stood firm and was always there to halt their advance when called upon. After a measured centre in the 97^th minute by John Stead, saw a diving header from Karl Gibbs finally break the deadlock and put PNS into the lead. In the second period of extra time Karl Gibbs who by now had run himself into the ground was replaced by the final PNS sub.

At this stage PNS certainly looked to have the measure of their opponents and only several smart reflex saves from the home keeper kept his team in the game. However the final nail in the coffin came after 125 minutes when another pass back by Avelino Vieira was met by John Stead and although the keeper saved this effort, as he moved in for the rebound was upended by a defender.

Not to be denied he got up and smashed the penalty into the Net.

Tividale 0 Peterborough Northern Star 2

At the end of the day it was a magnificent display by everyone in the PNS team and they can now look forward to a home tie in the Quarter Final against Dunston UTS on the 3^rd March.

Final comment must go to Tividale Officials and Players, who while making us very welcome to their ground, fully played their part in what was an excellent hard fought Cup Match, which I believe was enjoyed by all the spectators.