The FA Carlsberg Vase
Sixth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 1 March 2008

There were plenty of thrills and spills around the country in the Sixth Round of the FA Vase today as teams bid for a place in the Semi-Finals.

Needham Market surprised Merstham by coming away with a 3-2 extra-time victory. Merstham took a first-minute lead through Kwabena Ageyi, but Market went into the break 2-1 up thanks to a strike from the outstanding Jay Denniss and a hotly-disputed Chris Parker penalty.

The Combined Counties League leaders equalised in the second half through Kevin Lock and had several chances to win the tie. But the Suffolk team grabbed a shock extra-time winner when James Evans' shot was inadvertently turned into his own net by unfortunate Merstham 'keeper Ian Chatfield.

"We're delighted," said Needham manager Danny Laws. "This is our fifth game out of six away from home, so it's no mean feat. We've played some quality opposition and that's a credit to the lads."

Kirkham & Wesham drew 3-3 with Coventry Sphinx in an exciting game in front of over 1,000 fans in Lancashire. Kirkham twice went ahead in normal time before being pegged back by Sphinx, who themselves took an early lead in extra-time. Only a late Mark Wane effort earned the home side a replay.

Elsewhere, Whitley Bay made the long trip south to Hungerford Town and came away with a hard-fought 1-0 victory to book their Semi-Final spot.

Paul Robinson scored the game's only goal at the start of the second half in a match played out in difficult conditions. Whitley 'keeper Terry Burt made two vital saves in the dying minutes as the visitors held out.

"It was just a battle," said Whitley manager Ian Chandler. "I didn't enjoy a bit of it until the final whistle!

"Everyone did their part, particularly our back line and the 'keeper, but it wasn't a pretty game."