Wulfs crash out of the FA Vase

 

A sunny September afternoon attracted a large crowd to the CKW Stadium at Castlecroft to watch this FA Vase qualifier.

 

AFC, having already exited the FA Cup and losing in midweek, needed a morale boosting victory, but Uttoxeter Town from a league below AFC were expected to prove formidable opponents.

 

AFC started brightly and following a free kick looked to have taken the lead when captain Ben Jevons netted from close range, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal offside decision.

 

AFC continued to dominate the play and following good work down the right by Jumaane Meggoe, Jevons was unable this time to find the net.

 

AFC continued to press, and James Hill had a free kick saved by Uttoxeter keeper Jack Tolley.

 

Midway through the first half Uttoxeter had a rare attack and AFC keeper Tom Hayward made a smart save.

 

This proved to be a turning point with the visitors having a good shout for a penalty turned down and then they should have taken the lead when their centre forward Curley rounded the AFC keeper and failed to finish from close range.

 

As the half came to a close AFC could have taken the lead when Aaron Bishop headed over a James Hill free kick from close range.

 

On the balance of chances AFC should have been ahead but the visitors had shown they posed a real threat.

 

 

Immediately the visitors pushed forward, and AFC had a let off with Jack Rowley heading a goal bound deflection off the line.

 

From here on the home side posed little attacking threat and, on the hour, Uttoxeter inevitably took the lead when a corner was finally turned home by Joel Dyche, following a goal mouth scramble, to put the visitors deservedly ahead.

 

From here on it was all Uttoxeter as the AFC team morale dropped, further goals came from Avery and Curley which rammed home the visitor’s advantage to make it a miserable week for AFC. Out of both cups and one win in four tells its own story.