The FA Carlsberg Vase
Sixth Round Proper
Saturday 8 March 2008
Sphinx Drive, Coventry Sphinx FC
Click here for results
Kirkham & Wesham booked their place in the FA Vase Semi Finals with a 1-0 win in their Sixth Round replay at Coventry Sphinx.
Scottish striker Sean Paterson scored the only goal of the game early in the second half to put the Vase debutants one step away from a dream date at Wembley.
The blustery conditions made football difficult throughout and the visitors, kicking into the wind in the first period, did well to reach the break all-square. Sphinx had most of the play but created little in the way of real chances with Kirkham's defence, and Phil Thompson in particular, standing firm.
The Lancastrians broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when Paterson latched onto a ball from the left and calmly finished low past the home 'keeper.
There was no looking back from there, and Micky Horsfall could have added a second but saw his shot kept out by the 'keeper's legs.
The game may not have had the drama of last week's 3-3 draw, but, Kirkham manager Mick Fuller was proud of the way his team applied themselves.
"We had to defend very well in the first half," he said. It was nothing like the game last Saturday but we got the result.
"It's a phenomenal achievement in our first season in the Vase. We've come a long long way but we don't want to go out now."
Fuller's side will play Needham Market over two legs for a place in The Final.