Semi-final action from the FA Trophy and FA Vase
CONCORD Rangers recovered from an early deficit to create history with a first ever FA Trophy final place at Wembley – but it was just a shame no-one was there to witness it.
Richard Gregory coolly put Step 4 Halesowen in front after just seven minutes but a Rob Evans own goal just before half-time and a winner from Alex Vall ten minutes from time sparked a Beachboys party, with very few guests.
“It’s an incredible journey for our small club to reach a national final at Wembley,” said jubilant Concord boss Danny Scopes.
“This achievement is for all those who work so hard and all those who volunteer for the club. It’s not been easy for us, especially as fitness is not the greatest at this stage of the season. But despite falling behind early on, I still believed we would make it.”
Like their hosts, Halesowen were on their own epic journey to Wembley with their 14th game of a Trophy run that started almost a year ago.
And it was they who were first to feature as captain Paul McCone headed back across the Concord goal from Robbie Bunn’s second-minute free-kick.
Indeed, it wasn’t long before the Yeltz were rewarded for their efforts when they broke the deadlock. Tricky Simeon Cobourne laid the ball off for Gregory to side-step his marker and plant a well-placed low shot from the edge of the penalty area past home goalkeeper Chris Haigh.
The Beachboys soon settled, however, and Brendon Bunn collected Aron Pollock’s header before cutting out a 17th-minute cross from Lamar Reynolds. Temi Babalola was denied by Yeltz defender Ash Carter’s fine 19th-minute challenge and then headed Concord’s first corner over the bar a minute later.
But Halesowen too continued to play with confidence as McKauley Manning got wide down the left and Robbie Bunn played a neat one-two, only to see his 22nd-minute shot blocked.
At the other end, Reynolds’ low snapshot from 25 yards on the half-hour fell just inches wide and Sam Blackman headed straight into Brendon Bunn’s arms.
And the pressure finally told on 37 minutes when Nathan Carlyle curled in a dangerous rightwing cross and the unfortunate Evans could only turn the ball past his own keeper.
Undeterred, Halesowen started the second period on the front foot again as Gregory looped a
clever ball for Reece Hewitt to drag a 51st-minute shot just wide following a spell of neat football.
But the Beachboys responded once more with Babalola meeting Wall’s cross on the hour with a free header which nestled on top of the crossbar.
Chances then became increasing scarce as the nervy game wore on, although Halesowen’s Robbie Bunn struck a 25-yard free-kick at goalkeeper Haigh.
But in the end it was Concord who finally found a way through on 80 minutes when Wall nipped in and got the better of defender McCone before clipping the ball over Brendon Bunn into an empty net.
The Yeltz pushed forward for an equaliser and were almost exposed at the back as Brendon Bunn saved with his legs from sub George Alexander on 86 minutes.
As the minutes ticked, however, Halesowen ploughed forward in search of a leveller and caused panic in the Concord back line with crosses from Robbie Bunn and McCone.
Manager Paul Smith’s disappointment was all too evident, but he remained full of pride for his team’s achievements. “I’ve got a lot of dejected boys in there, but it’s important they hold their heads up high,” he said.
STAR MAN: Lamar Reynolds (Concord)
ATT: N/A
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Sam Purkiss