A THRILLER OF QUALITY AND STYLE – HORNETS GRAB THE VASE
Consett 2 Hebburn Town 3 – Buildbase FA Vase final
Yesterday, in the wake of the fan invasion at Old Trafford, a national newspaper ran the headline: “The beautiful game is gone”.
I’ve got news for them – it’s alive and well at non-league level. And it was proudly on display at Wembley Stadium when two Ebac Northern League teams put on a thrilling Buildbase FA Vase final. For the second time, the final was contested by two Northern League teams and they did us proud in front of a national TV audience.
Winner and loser – they showed the true spirit of football. To the victors, the Vase, to the losers a defeat where they can still hold their heads up high.
And so to the game. The second half may not have reached the heights of the first, but the opening 45 minutes was a classic. Every time Consett got their noses in front, Hebburn pegged them back almost immediately.
Both teams were able to get their attacking game going in the opening minutes, but it was Consett who settled into a patient, possession and passing game the better. Jermain Metz and Darren Holden were constant threats down the wings, but it was Hebburn who came closest to scoring first: a shot by Robbie Spence saved with his legs by Consett keeper Kyle Hayes, with Michael Richardson following up with a shot off the bar.
Within seconds, Ali Alshabeeb scored the opener after being put through one-on-one and the No. 14 was able to round Hebburn keeper Mark Foden and slot it into the net before two Hebburn defenders could block it.
Within two minutes the Hornets were level when, unmarked, Amar Purewal blasted the ball into the Consett net. The game was then delayed for eight minutes for a worrying injury to Consett No. 7 Jake Orrell after a collision. (He was taken to hospital as a precaution but thankfully was later declared as having recovered.) The injury break cause the game to lose some of its rhythm but in the 42nd minute, Consett No. 9 Dale Pearson put the Steelmen ahead. Metz found the striker with a pull back pass, with Pearson taking a touch and then hitting low and hard into the net.
They were given no chance to enjoy regaining the lead. In the 44th minute, Hebburn captain Louis Storey was denied when Hayes saved a shot with his legs for the second time, only for Michael Richardson to pick up the loose ball and fire it in to make it 2-2 at half time. It had been a half to savour.
In comparison, the second half was much more cagey, although both sides had their chances: in the 56th minute, Purewall knocked the ball back to Graeme Armstrong but the Hebburn No. 9 didn’t get a clean contact and the ball trickled just wide of the left hand post. At the other end, Calvin Smith had a shot blocked when Storey slid in. Consett sub Luke Carr brought pace and creativity to the Steelmen attack. In the 80th minute had made a great run down the right and managed to get behind the Hebburn defence. His cross was let go by Pearson, allowing Smith a shooting opportunity only for the No. 8 to hit the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, Alshabeeb set Carr up, but again the ball was put over the bar.
Within seconds they were made to pay: Hebburn sub Olly Martin hitting a left foot shot in off the right hand post. It was prove to be an inspired and decisive substitution. The South Tynesiders were able to close out the game and crowned Vase winners, with Richardson named the man of the match.
The Vase is on its way back to the North East.
Who needs a European super league? Certainly not the thousands of fans who follow our league.
Mike Snowdon
Photo captions: The teams, the sorry sight of an empty, fan-less Wembley, and the teams line up for the final:
