Town edged out in Vase clash thriller
W DIDS & CHORLTON ...... 4 STOCKPORT TOWN .......... 3 ANDREW CROMPTON STOCKPORT Town have been knocked out of the Buildbase FA Vase after a 4-3 defeat away at West Didsbury & Chorlton on Saturday afternoon.
The Lions made a good account of themselves as they faced the Premier Division from their Hallmark Security League and were only denied by an injurytime winner.
Goals from Ashely Stott (2) and Aaron Dwyer saw Town equalise on three occasions, however home goals from Joseph Shaw (2), Nicolaos Evangelinos, and Matthew Kay.
Dave Wild’s side were caught early on against the run of play as a West corner was capitalised on by Shaw as he headed past Dylan Forth in the Lions goal.
The Lions hit back after attempts from Tyler Edwards and Ashley Stott went close, and did eventually equalise in the 19th minute when the former tapped home from a Ruben Abreu cross.
The hosts then retook the lead on the half hour mark, once again from a cross into the box, however this time it came from a long throw-in. Shaw once again was in the right place at the right time, as the ball found his feet and he drilled his shot into the bottom corner.
In the second half the Lions were gifted a way back into the game as they were awarded a penalty as West captain, Mark Rogers, was adjudged to have handled the ball from a goal-bound shot.
Not only giving away the spot kick, the skipper was shown a red card and given his marching orders.
Stott stepped up to take the penalty and the frontman saw his initial strike from the spot saved by Aaron Ashley in the West goal, however the rebound fell to Stott who duly fired home given the second chance.
Despite the visitors getting back into the game and having a man advantage, it was yet another set-piece that saw West retake the lead for a third time, this time Evangelinos headed in with a near-post header leaving Forth with no chance.
With West looking to see the rest of the game out and maintain possession with their 10-men, Town threw everything forward as the game got closer to added time, and their efforts were rewarded as Dwyer poked home from 15-yards after a driving run into the box.
The match looked to be going to extra time but the hosts snatched victory at the death as Kay was the most alert on the edge of the area as the ball was blocked into his path, with the midfielder guiding the ball into the top corner.
Stockport Town can remain proud of the effort that they put in against a tough Premier Division opposition, showing a great account of the football that Dave Wild is managing his side to play.
The Lions return to action next weekend as they host the only unbeaten league side, Silsden, in the Hallmark Security League, all the action at Stockport Sports Village gets underway at 3pm.