The Y&E secured a place in the first round of the FA Vase after a 2-0 win against fellow Ebac Northern League Division one side Kendal Town. Tom Atkisnon continued his impressive start to the season with another two goals. The win means we’ll now travel to face Fulwood Amateurs, who knocked us out in the second round last season, on the 10th October.
Jacko made a couple of changes to the starting XI that beat Kendal in the league the previous Saturday. Man of the match Reece McMann was unavailable, as was Josh Larkin. Captain Cam Wild made his first start since early August and Bubba came back in midfield alongside the returning Charlie Fixter. Marshy moved up form central defence. A late injury to Ste Roberts in the warm up meant that he was replaced by Jacko on the bench.
We got off to a decent start, with Tom having a first minute effort tipped over the bar in the 1st minute. We had the best of the early exchanges, with Mikey played in by Joe Dalton and his lay off was cleared. We took the lead on 21 mins, a high foot on Joe Dalton in the box was awarded as a penalty. Up stepped Tom. You know the rest. 1-0.
Three minutes later Callum was called in to action, a miscued defensive header set a Kendal forward free, but the birthday boy between the sticks pulled off a superb save. It was another decent game between the two sides. As we moved to the final 5 minutes, we had a few chances as there was pinball in the Kendal Box, shot block, shot block, shot block on repeat. Half time 1-0 up.
Into the second half and we started well again. Defensively we were looking solid and up front we were creating a few half chances, the Kendal keeper made a fine save from Tom with Mikey putting the rebound over. Just after the hour mark, some tenacious play by Marshy to win the ball back in midfield before playing the ball up to Tom who beat the offside trap before finishing well to make it 2-0. The Kendal players and supporters were not impressed with the onside decision.
There was a few chances for Kendal to get back in to the game, but Callum was untroubled, the defence in front of him playing well. The ref blew up and we had made it to the 1st round for the second season in a row
Another good display from the lads. Defended well, took our chances and excellent work rate across the pitch. A clean sheet and two Tom Atkisnon goals. A proper Y&E win. Dan McWilliams picked up Man of the Match, selected by Match Sponsor Renner Kompressoren. Another quality display from him, its often difficult to include all of the work defenders do in these match reports, but he didn’t put a foot wrong all game.
Credit to Kendal, the put in a good performance again, their supporters and committee were all sound. We look forward to our trip to Cumbria in February.
The Road to Wembley continues……..