Saturday 21st September, 2024 | Buckhurst Hill Vs Newbury Forest | Isuzu FA FA Vase | Attendance: 79
By Harry Biggs.
It’s an unfortunate FA Vase exit for The Stags as they are beaten on 2-0 on home turf by Thurlow Nunn side Newbury Forest in the 2nd Qualifying Round.
Mark picked a similar side to face Newbury Forest that was used in The Stags’ 3-2 victory over Athletic Newham last time out with Otuyo keeping his place in The Stags net, Zuhdu would be preferred to start this time with Vincent Wheeler available to make the bench for Buckhurst Hill and earn the last 6 minutes on the pitch.
The Stags started the game quickly and inside the first minute Zudhu went round the visitors keeper in style but failed to hit the target with an open goal. Suley would have another shot a few minutes after as he glided through the visitors defence and his shot at goal was whiskers wide.
The Stags were really dominating in the first half but just couldn’t seem to finish their chances. Hammond was the next Buckhurst Hill player to have an attempt as the Newbury defence were really in trouble at putting a stop to The Stags attack, but Hammond’s shot was miles over the bar to the relief of the visitors keeper.
The visitors though were dangerous on the counter attack and would have their first chance of the game in the 15th minute as a move caught out The Stags defence but Outyo was there to claim a dangerous effort.
Another massive chance was awarded for The Stags as Hammond was brought down by the Newbury Forest keeper and George Thompson would have the chance to give The Stags attack 1-0 advantage.
His penalty was put to the goalkeeper’s left and was brilliantly saved to keep the game level.
The second half now and Mark was forced into an early change as The Stags best player of the half Carolan was brought off and replaced by Feeley due to an injury. The Stags would start the half again well as Khadean Campbell looked dangerous on the wing and delivered a good cross to Thompson, whose shot was just wide.
Buckhurst Hill would have many more chances before the hour mark as Thompson and Hammond both had brilliant effort which were all saved by the Newbury keeper. The visitors would take the lead unexpectedly just after the hour mark as a dangerous counter attack caught out The Stags defence and Newbury Forest were able to take the lead.
The Stags looked to have lost their confidence after the visitors first as effort after effort would just not find it’s way into the visitors net. Buckhurst Hill would have one last chance before the final whistle as Thompson was delivered a good cross but he couldn’t meet the effort with a header.
Newbury Forest would top the game off with a second goal into injury time which would see Stags heads drop over all Myrak Park.
It finished in defeat for The Stags which meant an exit from the Isuzu FA Vase.
TEAM :
Otuyo (GK), Foyewa, Carolan, Okuguni, Harris, Ogunsanya, Hammond, Williams (C), Thompson, Zudhu, Campbell
SUBS :
Feeley (45’ – Carolan), Frempong (64’ – Hammond), Markatis (64’ – Okuguni), Willison (64’ – Ogunsanya), Wheeler (84’ – Foyewa)
Next Up For The Stags :
Saturday 28th September – Takeley (H) – Essex Senior League
