Match Report
F.A. Vase 1st Qualifying Round
 Abingdon Town 2 |
 Horsham YMCA 0 |
Date:12th Septemeber 2004 Location: Abingdon
Source: by West Sussex County Times
JOHN Suter believes his side have missed out on a great chance to go far in the FA Vase after they lost 2-0 to Abingdon Town.
The Vase has been restructured this year meaning Level 5 clubs, such as YM and Abingdon, were amongst the highest ranked teams in the competition.
Having been knocked out of the FA Cup the previous week, YM wanted to do well in one of the nation's most prestigious cup competitions. But after dominating the first-half with little reward, they handed their Oxfordshire opponents two goals after the break which decided the outcome of the tie.
"It was hugely disappointing," said Suter. "To go out of the Vase at this round when entry has been capped at our level is so disappointing. We have let slip by an opportunity in a national competition. I feel a County League side can go far this year and we have blown it."
Suter admitted that Dartford, who beat YM 5-0 in the FA Cup, were too good for his side. However, he did not afford the same praise for Abingdon, despite the hosts having former Swindon, Oxford and West Ham winger Joey Beauchamp, still only 33, in their ranks.
"They were an average side and we should have beaten them. At half-time, no-one in the ground would have given them a hope of winning the game," said Suter.
However, being a former striker himself, Suter knows more than most that goals win games. "We did not deserve to win because we did not score," he added.
YM started well and should have scored in the 25th minute when they hit the woodwork three times during a period of play straight from Billy Smart's Circus.
Abingdon keeper Chris Brain started proceedings by palming Nick Levett's cross against the bar, Barrie Westgate then hit the rebound against the bar before one of the hosts' defenders struck the woodwork before the ball was eventually cleared.
For Abingdon, Matt Whitehead and Beauchamp both struck long-range efforts over the bar as the two teams went into the break level.
The home side should have scored in the 53rd minute when Rory Jenkins broke down the right before crossing to Johnson. However, with the goal at his mercy, Plumley managed to apply a crucial block.
But the hosts went ahead five minutes later and it was a moment young Plumley will want to forget. There seemed little danger when the teenage keeper came out to claim Beauchamp's in-swinging corner, but he failed to collect the high ball cleanly and juggled it into his own net.
YM responded and nearly grabbed an equaliser within minutes. Ali Russell sent Matt Duffield's free-kick goalwards but watched in horror as Brain spectacularly somehow managed to claw the ball over the bar.
Abingdon enjoyed a ten-minute spell of possession and doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. Danny Wise hit the post but Tom Carter only managed to clear as far as Beauchamp who was loitering on the penalty spot.
The Abingdon man, who has cost more than £2million in transfer fees during a 13-year professional career, reacted by heading his side into the next round.
"Everyone was disappointed, no-one more than me," said Suter.
Exits from the FA Cup and Vase have tainted an otherwise excellent start to the season for YM. Five wins from five has put them top of the County League but Suter will be hoping his side have not lost any momentum after back-to-back cup defeats.
"We started so well, won five on the trot, but now we have lost two and not scored. It's how the players react to that. We have to put it behind us," he said.
Suter takes his men to Pagham tomorrow before the eagerly awaited clash with second-placed Arundel on Tuesday.
Team: (4-4-2): Plumley; Carden, Westgate, Carter, Levett; Duffield, Potter, Grant (Bidwell 80), O'Hara (Brabon 80); Davies (Sleat 80), Russell.