PETER MORRISON TROPHY QUARTER-FINAL
HERTSWOOD VALE 3 FAIRLOP FC 1
In only their fourth season in existence, Vale have reached the last four of the National Cup knockout competition, having now dispatched two top-flight league teams featuring the cream of the MGBSFL.
As Vale were "reminded by Brad Gayer in the lead up to this game, the last two times that we faced Fairlop, we lost 10-1 and 10-0," so Emanuel "wouldn't have blamed Fairlop for expecting to absolutely walk us today".
Vale started the game strongly, but it was Fairlop who took the lead with an absolutely brilliant goal - in all fairness it was a quality cross and an equally quality header from their striker.
The goal followed a period where Fairlop were on top, but after around 25 minutes onwards it was all Vale. Jordan Harris was on hand to clear the ball off the line from a corner, but other than that chance, Fairlop didn't really trouble Adam Zaidman in goal.
The home side trailed 1-0 at the break but they reflected on a number of opportunities to grab a deserved equaliser, with our finishing just not good enough.
A quick regroup at half-time, and Vale started just as strongly in the second half. A tactical change on 60 minutes saw Zach Mandel and Jack Winton enter the fray saw Vale really take the game to Fairlop. Again, just a lack of end product stopped us grabbing an equaliser, while they limited Fairlop to pot-shots from distance.
With the clock ticking down, Vale were rewarded for their efforts with an equaliser in the 81st minute - James Millet was fouled in the penalty area. While the crowd held their breath, the Vale top-scorer dusted himself down to coolly slot home from the spot. 1-1 and game on!
An injury to Charlie Becker, who was influental throughout on his last game of the season, meant another tactical switch late on but Vale kept pushing Fairlop forward. And they grabbed what looked like the match-winneron 88 minutes through Millet again. His marauding run into the Fairlop box "ruined careers as he evaded one challenge before being taken out on the byline. Penalty! Millet stepped up again for an ice cool finish into the bottom corner.
With five minutes of added time left on the clock, Fairlop pushed hard for an equaliser, but after Harry Graham evaded the offside trap, he ran through and although his shot was well saved by the Fairlop keeper. Dan Reuben was on hand to grab Vale's third goal and put the game beyond doubt. Cue the wild celebrations from the Vale faithful!
Jubilant Vale joint-manager Jacob Emanuel told JC Sport: "Wow, wow, wow. What an achievement. I couldn't be prouder of every single one of the boys today - we had to be patient but we got our just desserts for a faultless team performance. I think the result speaks for itself on how far we've come as a team since we last met.
"To be in the semi-final is an absolute dream for everyone involved in the club, and something that Viv, Danny, Jack and I, or any of the boys who have been with the club from minute one could never have imagined.
"We don't know who we'll play in the semis, and frankly it's not important. We're going to hold onto this moment for as long as possible. Our attention turns back to the league with a game against SPEC in a fortnight's time."
Emanuel went on to say: "Well played to Fairlop in what was a quality match for the neutral. They congratulated every single one of the boys at the final whistle, and we wish them well for the rest of the season."
Fairlop's Jake Sanders was magnanimous in defeat. "We only have ourselves to blame," he told JC Sport. "When you're 1-0 up with ten minutes to go you must see the game out, let alone a big cup quarter-final.
"But, credit to Hertswood, who stayed in the game and blew us away in the closing stages. Massive good luck to a great bunch and lads in the last four."
