FA Vase semi-finals in the balance after tense first-legs

Both FA Vase semi finals remain in the balance following two intense first leg ties at Hereford and Bowers & Pitsea.

A Mustapha Bundu header gave Hereford a 1-0 advantage to take to Salisbury, while a spirited second-half comeback by Bowers salvaged a 2-2 draw against Morpeth Town.  

The first half at Edgar Street was tense and cagey with home side Hereford having the better of the early stages in front of a bumper 4,683 crowd.

They fashioned the game’s first chance when a Mike Symons cross found Pablo Heysham in the box, but he headed over.

Symons, affectionately known as The Beast, was a constant threat for the Bulls in the first half;, his direct style causing Salisbury numerous problems.

The away side struggled to make any headway in the match, unsettled by an early injury to defender Calum Brockway who was replaced by Elliot Wheeler in the sixth minute.

Salisbury improved just before half-time, Daniel Demkiv producing a couple of dangerous forays down the right flank.

Hereford felt they should have gone ahead two minutes before half-time, but Heysham’s header was ruled out for handball after much pressure on the officials from Salisbury players.

Not to be denied, Hereford did take the lead just four minutes into the second half through a Mustapha Bundu header.

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After good work down the right-hand side by Sam Oates, the Sierra Leone forward rose highest in the box to head home. 

Hereford came within inches of doubling their lead on the hour, hitting the woodwork three times in a remarkable passage of play.

Bundu’s first touch was superb and he crossed for Ross Staley who hit the bar his first attempt before hitting the post with the rebound. 

Hereford then won a corner moments later which was met by the ever involved Bundu, but his header struck the bar.

Salisbury, who had scored in 40 consecutive games until today, pushed hard for a late equaliser.

Steve Walker passed up a fantastic chance 10 minutes from time when an unmarked header was well saved by Hereford keeper Martin Horsell from point-blank range.

Hereford saw the game out and will take a slender 1-0 advantage to Wiltshire.

North-east outfit Morpeth Town faced a long trip down to Essex to face Bowers & Pitsea, but they put themselves in a commanding position with a classy first-half display.

Morpeth attacked fluently with Ben Sayer impressing in midfield, and they took the lead in the 10th minute with a memorable strike.

Sean Taylor lobbed Martyn Guest in the Bowers goal from 40 yards out with an opener fit to grace any semi-final.

Bowers were direct throughout the first period, with Scott Pethers’ long throws a feature of their play.

Pethers was caught out in the 33rd minute, however, as a long ball over the top by Morpeth found Taylor. His shot was well saved, but Michael Chilton tucked away the rebound to double Morpeth’s advantage going into half-time.

Morpeth almost put the tie out of sight in the 68th minute when Sayer’s effort was cleared off the line by Bowers defender Aaron Waters.

That proved to be a pivotal moment, as Bowers went straight up the other end a pulled a goal back.

Lewis Manor bundled the ball home following a scramble in the Morpeth penalty area.

That buoyed the home side who searched for an unlikely equaliser in the latter stages of the game.

Bowers were rewarded in the 89th minute as Alfie Hilton poked home a scuffed effort to give the Essex side parity ahead of the second leg. 

The first ever Non-League Finals Day takes place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday 22 May – with The FA Trophy final taking place immediately after the FA Vase decider.