Red brick wall finally gets knocked down.
As we all know, the form book goes out the window when it's a derby fixture as neither side wants to lose to a near neighbour no matter what level of football the teams play at. With the Wells being the away side and having lost to the Crows 4-1 at home earlier in the season, it was no surprise that once the game started, they had decided to defend deep and in numbers as the best way of them getting something from the match.
The home side however, had no option but to try and win the game so they could keep their promotion push on track, especially after losing 1-0 away at Whitstable Town in their last league match. So the match throughout was one of attack against defence, the Crows having the lions share of possession as they tried to break down an efficient and determined defensive display by the Wells' players.
Prior to the match starting there was a few surprise inclusions in the Crows line-up, Burbridge was back in goal, Vickers made a welcome return to the club, even though it was at centre-half rather than in a midfield role we were used to seeing him play last season and Perry was named as a substitute after months out with injury. Burbridge was in goal due to Shaw being recalled by Burgess Hill Town as Di Bernardo, who left us to join the Hillians, had apparently hurt his shoulder during the week.
There's no doubt that since Ellis received his suspension and Smith's departure, the goalkeeping position has been keeping everyone on their toes at the club and the team, especially the defence, have coped admirably with the change in goalie practically on a weekly basis. All the goalies deserve credit too and none of them have let the club or team down.
The first half of this game was not the most exciting half we've seen this season, with the away side defending deep and in numbers, time and space in their half was at a premium and although the home side had plenty of possession, chances were mainly from distance. The Crows had plenty of efforts at goal but perhaps the shooting wasn't as good as it could have been and the final ball in and around the Wells goal was more often than not over or under hit.
With Clarke, Tear and Treleaven still not available, the home side suffered another injury in the 13th minute, Barton having to go off following a challenge with Biddlecombe, Crabb coming on as his replacement.
Turner and Phipp had good chances, one being cleared off the line, the other, a header, going just over the bar from six yards out. Still it remained 0-0 until the 31st minute when the away side were awarded what most of the 447 spectators thought was a "soft" penalty, Carrington being adjudged to have handled the ball in the area by referee Procter and despite many protestations, Pilbeam fired the Wells in front via the spot-kick.
Phipp, twice, Pearson, Muggeridge and Carrington all had efforts at goal that were either saved by Bradshaw in the Wells goal or went just wide before half-time but the sides reached the break with the away side winning 1-0.
The away side now had something to hang on to as the second-half started so their defending became even more resolute however, the Crows upped their attacking intent and improved the quality of the chances and the final ball in to the Wells area. Pearson had a glorious chance to make it 1-1 in the 56th minute but dragged his shot wide of the goal with only Bradshaw to beat.
Only 3 minutes later Carrington had a gilt-edged chance but his effort went just wide of Bradshaw's goal so the score remained at 1-0 to the visitors. The Wells had made a couple of substitutions by this time, Trespaderne and Harris having gone off and Ita and Nwoko coming on in their places respectively.
The longer the half went on it became clear that it would take something special or a bit of luck going the home side's way if Bradshaw was to be beaten as he made good saves from Pearson, twice, and Walder, whilst Carrington and Attwood, twice, had efforts either blocked or going just wide.
With the Crows pushing more players forward at every opportunity the Wells were hoping to get a second on the break and perhaps Ita and Nwoko should have done better with their efforts but Burbridge pulled off a couple of good saves to keep the score at 1-0.
Time was marching on and the Crows replaced Pearson with Perry in the 75th minute which resulted in the Wells making a defensive change, Shea going off and Beaton coming on in the 81st minute. The Crows also replaced Carrington with Pring at the same time.
With the tension increasing, tempers became a bit hotter in the 86th minute, Turner and Spackman both getting yellow cards for a disagreement and then Biddlecombe got a yellow under the totting up procedure match officials seemed to use these days.
The Crows got the equaliser they definitely deserved in the 89th minute, a period of constant pressure in and around the Wells penalty area resulted in a goal-mouth scramble and Phipp was able to fire the ball high in to the Wells net from inside the six-yard box to make it 1-1 with plenty of added-on time to play.
The pressure on the away goal became even more intense now if that was possible and the ball seemed to be inside the Wells area permantly and if by design, a driven cross found its way to the feet of Perry six yards out and he fired the ball first time passed Bradshaw and in to the net, 2-1 to the Crows in the 93rd minute. Queue wild celebrations amongst the players and the fans as the team turned no points in to three points within 4 minutes and the smiles on everyone's faces at the final whistle made the stress of the previous 88 minutes all worth it.
Perry was awarded the Man of the Match award by the sponsor, Steve Walters, whilst my personal choice was Phipp but after so many months out of football due to injury who could deny Perry the award in truth.
The club would also like to thank Frank Meilack of Kemnal Park Limited for being the Match Sponsor and to Aimee's Driving School for being the Match Ball sponsor.
Now our attention turns to the Buildbase FA Vase 4th Round tie away at Melksham Town on Saturday, 6th January 2018.