Following the heroics of the midweek Sheffield derby win over Hallam Fc , it was a much changed Ambers side who took on North West Counties League side Euxton Villa .
The absentees from the squad for varying reasons were well into double figures for the trip into Lancashire .
The game started at break neck speed with both sides sparring in each other’s penalty areas without creating too much in the early exchanges .
The deadlock was broken on 9 minutes as the home side capitalised on some in-decision and miscommunication leaving Singleton to roll the ball home to score the first ever FA Vase goal for Villa .
The home side were now in a buoyant mood and we’re rushing forward at every opportunity and looking likely to add to the advantage.
However it was the The Ambers who scored next to bring the game level on 13 minutes through Brandon Bagley .
Henry Carne found Mitch Dunne with a measured pass , Dunne played a super cross field pass to Bagley , whose first touch was outstanding enabling a quick fire shot before his maker could get near him , the ball crept over the line after squirming out the grasp of the home keeper to make the game 1-1 .
The game lost its enterprising and end to end nature after the equaliser , and became very stop start .
Henry Carne was in fine form and snuffed out a number of half chances with excellent positioning .
Some needless cautions were issued as the game looked like it was drifting to a half time break at 1-1 … the officials whistle was heard on numerous occasions against a backdrop of appeal after appeal from dugout area .
As the half was drawing to a close , Dunne found Mitchell with a superbly weighted through ball and the experienced frontman beat the home keeper low to his left with a fine finish from 18 yards on 44 minutes.
The first half action didn’t stop there as Dylan Parkin was on hand to superbly tip over a fine shot which was destined for the top corner , and then he produced a world class save at point blank range to deny an equaliser for the home side , diving low to his right to scoop the ball up and away at full stretch following a great header from the home skipper .
That was the final action of the half with the Ambers leading 2-1 from a half that probably saw the home side shade the clear cut chances tally .
The 2nd half got under way with the cloud cover gathering overhead .
Dodsworth was the recipient of repeated over zealous close attention , and was clearly struggling after a late challenge that went unpunished.
A fine flowing move from our hosts caused indecision in our box and Euxton’s Colquhoun was razor sharp with his reaction to emphatically smash a loose ball past Parkin from 10 yards to make it 2-2 on 49’ mins .
The game then subsided into a scrappy encounter , with neither team building a real head of steam .
Sam Cooper came on for Alfonso - Ferreira and impressed at the right back birth.
Matty Hughes came on for Alfie Dodsworth who had been on the end of numerous fouls , which finally saw him limp off .
The ambers struggled to muster any real clear cut chances with our hosts also huffing and puffing and not really troubling Parkin .
As the game entered into the final 10 minutes and looking destined for a penalty shootout , a defensive slip handed Bentham a gift wrapped opportunity, and the Euxton forward took full advantage with a excellent finish to beat Parkin and seal passage through to the next round of the FA Vase for our hosts .
A scrappy game which failed to find any real rhythm for either side .. we congratulate Euxton on their victory and wish them well in the next round.
For the Ambers it’s an extended break of 14 days without a game , our next action is away at Bottesford Town on the 9th September.
Final word of thanks go to the supporters and volunteers who made the 2 hour + journey to cheer the lads on and sort the kit etc … absolutely fantastic support .
The trip to Wembley will have or wait for another year as the lads focus turns to our league campaign.
Up the Ambers !!!