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FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
St Ives FC v Debenham LC FC
Westwood Road St Ives
Saturday 20th August 2011

It was mild and overcast as Debenham LC FC took to the field at Westwood Road St Ives to take on “The Saints” of St Ives FC in an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie. A couple of players missing through a nasty virus didn’t prevent manager Rob Allum putting out a strong team that had the look of the formation that finished the game at Godmanchester with a five man mid-field and Marc Wake playing as the lone striker. Debenham started the game well and forced an early corner that was headed over the bar by Shaun French and this was followed by a corner for the home team that was comfortably caught by Liam Jones in the Hornets’ goal. From his thrown clearance Jack Severy picked up the ball and ran past two defenders before he reached the home penalty area where only a good blocking save by the home keeper with his legs prevented Jack from opening his account, but it was only a minute later that a corner kick for the visitors opened the scoring after seven minutes. Marc Wake took the kick from the left side and played the ball deep past the back post where Shaun French rose above the defence to head the ball back onto the six yard line in front of goal and there was NATHAN VINCENT running in, dreadlocks flying, to head the ball powerfully past the diving Ben Webster who got his hand to the ball but couldn't prevent it nestling in the corner of the net. A great start to the match and the Hornets continued to play attractive passing football but St Ives were playing their part in a god game and began to impose themselves on the game. St Ives forced a succession of corner kicks but none troubles Liam and Nathan put over a good cross that was knocked behind for a goal kick. Playing just one up front left Marc Wake looking somewhat isolated and his flicked headers were wasted as there was no team mate to benefit and the home team equalised after 28 minutes when STUART COBB was on hand to knock the ball into the net after a period of pressure. The pressure continued as St Ives pressed but their promising approach play foundered on a lack of good finishing as shots went over the bar or wide of the goal. Just before the interval A St Ives forward had a clear site of goal as he sent in a powerful low shot but Liam Jones dived to his left to deflect the ball away and then was up quickly to run and smother the ball as a forward tried to capitalise. A really good save to keep the Hornets in the game.

Half Time

St Ives FC 1 Debenham LC FC 1

Cobb 28 Vincent 7

The spectators had barely retaken their places at the start of the second half when more excitement signalled another goal. Again Debenham LC made the early breakthrough after 47 minutes when Marc Wake took a free kick on the left side 30 yards out from goal and flighted over another teasing kick beyond the far post where Shaun French again rose above the defenders to head back across the six yard line and there was NATHAN VINCENT again alone in the box and heading the ball powerfully into the top corner of the goal giving the keeper no chance and Debenham were back in front. Again the home team responded with a period of possession and pressure with neat fast approach play but as in the first half their finishing was way off the mark and it took an own goal to get them back on terms. After 55 minutes of the game a corner on the left side to St Ives was driven in towards the near post and it was ROB CANFER back helping the defence who got there first before the home forwards but his attempted clearance facing his own goal was not well directed and the ball flashed into the to corner of the net giving Liam Jones no chance to save. A really unfortunate goal to give away but the game was still very even with Debenham playing well and forcing the play into the home penalty box but without the necessary clinical finish we were all hoping for.
It got worse for the Hornets after 65 minutes when Shaun French had the ball under control in the box but his attempted flicked pass was intercepted by a forward who strode forward and crossed the ball into the six yard box past Liam’s outstretched hand to where STUART COBB was again “Johnny-on-the-spot” to score with a simple tap-in. This was really hard for Debenham as they had been playing well and had scored two good goals and to concede two really poor goals was heart-breaking.
But the game was still there to be won and chances were still being carved out although perhaps not as clear cut chances as we would wish to see. St Ives continued to press and make opportunities but they still couldn’t find a finish and Liam Jones made a number of comfortable saves.
Both teams made a number of substitutions and the introduction of Adam Rickwood for the Hornets gave Marc Wake a forward partner and he used his bustling style to good effect to upset the home defenders but again no clear chance was made. A free kick in the dying seconds of the game saw Liam Jones take the kick on the half way line with a corner kick being won. From the kick the ball went perilously close to the home goal cross bar but it survived intact and the referee brought the afternoon's efforts to a close.
Debenham will be very disappointed at the result as they matched their opponents for much of the game and certainly deserved to have another go but the result says that the home team were victorious and Debenham’s Wembley FA Cup dreams come to a grinding halt.

Full Time

St Ives FC 3 Debenham LC FC 2

Cobb 28 65 Vincent 7 47
OG (Canfer) 55

Referee              Mr P Goldsmith

St Ives FC     Webster Everdell Alsop Newman Phillips G Last Foster Ellison Washington Cobb Hall                           Substitutes Bannister Robbin Fielding A Last

Cautioned          Washington

Debenham LC FC Jones Hardwick Cussons Capt Barker French Bloom Hutchings Canfer Wake Vincent                                Severy   Substitutes Rickwood Minns Chilvers

Cautioned               Hardwick Cussons French