Didcot do it

The FA Vase Final in partnership with Carlsberg
Tottenham Hotspur FC, White Hart Lane
14 May 2005



Stuart Beavon spurred Didcot Town on to victory in The FA Vase Final at Tottenham with two, fine second-half goals to leave AFC Sudbury cursing their luck for the third year on the trot.

And it was a fitting occasion for the 21-year-old Carlsberg man-of-match scoring a brace at White Hart Lane, where his dad, also Stuart, was a player in the late '70s. 

The Suffolk side remain the bridesmaids once again, not that the vocal Didcot support will care, as it's their team who become The Vase's 26th winners. But it's difficult not to feel sorry for Sudbury, and in particular left-back Shane Wardley, who played their part in a thoroughly enjoyable match in front of nearly 9,000 fans.

For it was Wardley who was a hero on two occasions, the second of which was his crisp leveller for 1-1. But only moments later the number three could do nothing but sink to the floor in despair when he turned in Paul Powell's cross to hand Didcot the lead.

But for all the goalmouth action of the second period, the first was a stark contrast as neither side wanted to give much away. As both teams employed deep-lying defences, attacks were restricted to shots from range.

Sudbury perhaps slightly edged the offensive possession and controlled the midfield with Didcot resorting to fouling the opposition to hinder their momentum.

However, the Railwaymen should have taken the lead in the fifth minute. A high ball into the box tempted 'keeper Dean Greygoose out to a crowded penalty spot and with bodies in his way he failed to claim.

The ball dropped kindly for Ian Concannon who looked odds on to tuck away for the lead, but Wardley was back on the line to save face by saving with his face. The pain, which was soothed by the physio’s magic sponge, was certainly worth it as the ball was hooked away to safety and kept scores level.

Sudbury then began to take the game to Didcot with Hyde and Bennett both coming close, but they couldn't find the back of the net.

Didcot, meanwhile, were soaking up the pressure and looking to break on the counter. A moment of supreme skill from Beavon underlined their threat and kept Sudbury's backline on their toes.

The Didcot forward applied an excellent touch to a high ball forward bringing it down to an instant standstill before rolling into the path of Bradley Ward whose low shot forced a good save from Greygoose.

It was a similar direct pass from defence which broke the deadlock ten minutes into the second-half, but this time Beavon's first touch was a well-executed half-volley, which flashed beyond Greygoose and in.

This rattled Sudbury and gave Didcot the impetus to look for number two, which almost came from the boot of Dave Green. Latching onto a loose ball 30 yards out, the man they call 'Big Dave' smashed a screaming drive towards the top corner forcing the very best out of Sudbury's 40-year-old stopper.

The Ridgeon's outfit were knocked back to life and began to impose themselves again and they were soon on terms, thanks to a lovely 25-yard, left-foot strike from Wardley, who reeled away to the Sudbury support in delight.

But it wouldn't last long and only two minutes later the 25-year-old was back on his line and turned Powell's low cross into his own net.

Sudbury made all three changes in a desperate attempt to force extra-time, but despite having much of the ball couldn't find the all-important opening.

The game looked to be all over when Beavon made it 3-1 halfway through the three minutes of injury time. With the ball at his feet, he twisted and turned on the edge of the box before firing low into the goal in front of the screaming Didcot fans.

Even when Gary Bennett was up-ended inside the Didcot box for a penalty, the mood didn't change amongst the Didcot support. Neil Calver's calmly placed spot kick brought the game back to 3-2.

But no sooner had play re-started than referee Beeby had blown the whistle to signal an Oxfordshire party as Didcot Town became the 2005 FA Vase winners. 

AFC Sudbury
Dean Greygoose, Brett Girling (c), Shane Wardley, Gary Bennett, Simon Hyde (Adrian Hayes, 78), Lee Owen (Lee Norfolk, 64), Andrew Claydon (Sam Banya, 57), David Head, Neil Calver, Paul Betson, Terry Rayner.
Subs not used: Chris Howlett, Ben Nower.

Goals: Wardley 65, Calver 90 (pen)

Didcot Town
Chris Webb, Grant Goodall, Jamie Heapy (c), Danny Campbell, Dave Green, Andy Parrott, Paul Hannigan, Bradley Ward, Ian Concannon (Glyn Jones, 88), Stuart Beavon (Matt Bianchini, 90), Paul Powell.
Subs not used: Andy Cooper, Danny Allen, Adam Spurrett

Goals: Beavon 55, 90, Wardley 68 (og)

Referee: R J Beeby (Northamptonshire FA)
Assistant Referees: E J Tarry (Cheshire FA) C D Sarginson (Staffordshire FA)
Fourth Official: L W Probert (Gloucestershire FA)

Attendance: 8,862

The FA Vase Final match build-up

	16 May 2005
	Reaction: Didcot's Peace of mind
	Stuart Peace saw his team lift The FA Vase on Saturday and was clearly overwhelmed with his side’s winning performance.

	13 May 2005
	The FA Vase - Final Facts
	AFC Sudbury and Didcot Town are ready for The Final, make sure you are. Here's all you need to know.

	13 May 2005
	Sudbury's Road to Spurs
	We look at AFC Sudbury's Route to The Final at Spurs - in the words of manager Gary Harvey

	13 May 2005
	Didcot's Road to Spurs
	We look at Didcot Town's Route to The Final at Spurs - in the words of manager Stuart Peace

	11 May 2005
	Perryman's Final advice
	Former Spurs legend Steve Perryman will be The FA’s Chief Guest at The Final of The FA Vase.

	11 May 2005
	It's Sudbury and Didcot
	AFC Sudbury and Didcot Town make it to the Final of The FA Vase at White Hart Lane on 14 May 2005.