Saturday 19 October 2024
Isuzu FA Vase
First Round
West Didsbury & Chorlton 2
Lazenbury 35p
Abadaki 53
Stockport Town 0
Attendance: 938
West line-up:
1 Martin, 2 Kenny, 3 McConnell, 4 Bailey, 5 Riley, 6 Rowney (c), 7 Banister (12 Sutton 58), 8 Murray, 9 Abadaki, 10 Lazenbury (17 Darkwah 86), 11 Dass (14 Matthews 62). Not used: 15 Billingsley, 16 Grimshaw.
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Nine-man West produced a superb performance to despatch Stockport Town and progress to the Second Round of the Isuzu FA Vase.
Paul Marshall made one enforced change to the starting line-up, as Jake Kenny returned from a two-week layoff to replace Connor Hughes, who was unavailable after appearing for Chadderton in an earlier round of this competition.
The first talking point didn't take long to arrive as Zak Bailey, already walking a tightrope after an early booking, mistimed a challenge in the centre circle to pick up his second yellow. They weren't the first cards Bailey had received on the day - his 18th birthday - but I wouldn't expect to find these two on his mantelpiece.
West were facing the prospect of playing 83 minutes with a numerical disadvantage, although any latecomers could be forgiven for not noticing.
Town did enjoy the Lions' share of possession for a period after the red card, culminating in Ethan Padden's deflected header being superbly pushed out by Ollie Martin. Padden nodded in the rebound but was denied by the offside flag.
The game stabilised from that point and West - smartly opting to reshuffle rather than waste a substitution - settled into a new shape and grew into the contest.
Goalmouth action was at a premium but Victor Abadaki sparked the opportunity from which West took the lead. In customary fashion, West's number 9 powerfully dribbled through the Stockport backline only to be brought down by Kilner.
Jordan Lazenbury stepped up and beat the dive of Josh Schofield in goal to register his third penalty of the season, putting West in front against the odds but not against the run of play.
The second half began as the first had ended - Town pushing but not really creating, West able to absorb and stay in control - and the lead was soon doubled.
Lazenbury was the provider on 53 minutes, finding Abadaki inside the box to shoot from ten yards. Schofield was wrong-footed by a deflection and the ball nestled in the bottom corner as Abadaki wheeled away to spring into a backflip in front of the Shed.
The second goal effectively ended the game but there was sting in the tail - Abadaki given a straight red card on 68 minutes after a unnecessary reaction to a clash on halfway.
It's to West's great credit that this didn't reopen the contest. Town kept knocking at West's door but the defence stood firm and West created the best chances despite playing the last quarter with a two-man deficit - first Lazenbury then Matthews spurning opportunities to give breathing space.
In truth, it wasn't needed and West could celebrate one of the best home performances in memory, passage to Monday's Second Round draw, as well as back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this season.
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We spoke to West manager Paul Marshall after the game:
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Your Burton Road Brewing Co Supporter of the Match was Charlie and their Player of the Match was Tom Murray.
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Browse through our wonderful match galleries, from club photographers:
Nathan Ashmall, Chris Michell, Jack Todd and Christina Bowett.
