Saturday 10th November 2007 - U's 2-1 Aldershot: Fortune-West favours the brave

Do you believe in magic? The Magic of the Cup? John Motson and co trot it out this time every year: "Blah blah Hereford United blah blah Ronnie Radford blah blah pitch invasion blah blah covered in mud blah blah amusing haircuts blah blah plumbers and teachers blah blah look at those flares blah blah I've just wet myself..."

But for all that sentimentality, there was a genuine frisson of prestidigitation in the air at the Abbey today as United lined up in the First Round Proper for the first time in three long seasons, assisted by the fact that opponents Aldershot Town actually brought a decent away contingent of over 600 with them as opposed to the two dozen showroom dummies supplied by the Staffords and the Farsleys of this world.

Add to that two teams which are having a cracking season, and who believe in fast, quality attacking play, and all the ingredients were in place for a footballing feast. Yum yum.

The Shots are Conference leaders, thanks to United's defeat of their nearest rivals Torquay last week, and for many people's money were the best team to visit the Abbey this season when they drew 1-1 here back in September. But this United team is afraid of no-one, and was in that special FA Cup mood thanks to an overnight hotel stay paid for by a generous sponsor.

The sky was overcast and grey but not especially damp, it was windy but not particularly cold. Perfect Cup weather. The amber hordes were cheered by the return of Danny Potter in goal after three matches out, notwithstanding Luke McShane's sterling efforts as dependable stand-in. The team remained otherwise unchanged, as did that of the visitors after going top last week, including tough-tackling ex-U Rob Gier in defence.

United's only tweak to the formation was to play Darryl Knights as a third striker, like in the last-round victory over Stafford, rather than 'in the hole' as at Torquay. Good as the atmosphere was, a minute's silence for our war dead was so immaculately observed that you could have heard a poppy fluttering in the breeze.

The start of play was bizarre, featuring five throw-ins in the first ninety seconds, all in front of the Main Stand as if the players couldn't bear to tear themselves away from their managers in their dugouts. Once the teams got to cutting and thrusting, however, a positive and enjoyable footballing contest began to unfold, with United on top but the Shots always threatening a speedy break.

The introduction of Knights, and the return of the equally diminutive Lee Boylan, has added a whole new dimension of quality to United's play. Where before the easy option was always to loft a long ball up to Leo Fortune-West or Scott Rendell up front, the U's now sport a pleasing passing game, with a resurgent Rob Wolleaston allowed the freedom to express himself by the diligent spadework of his midfield partner, Stephen Reed. From power-play to the power to play.

First chance came on 3, but it fell to the wrong man. Reed's left-wing free-kick dropped to Mark Peters arriving at the far post, but although the great man is a hell of a defender, he ain't no goal machine and he slashed his shot well over.

Shots keeper Nikki Bull has taken over from our old chum Mark Tyler as the man who always produces a blinder against the U's, and it wasn't long until he was in acrobatic action again. A Courtney Pitt cross cannoned off the back of left-back Anthony Straker on 4 and dropped to Wolleaston twelve yards out, but his low bobbler of a shot was expertly stopped by the visiting glovesman.

Three minutes later Pitt lofted a through ball for Boylan and although it was bouncing awkwardly, the little striker managed a perfectly controlled volley which was arrowing for the far corner until that man Bull produced another splendid stop. We were starting to suspect it was something personal.

First yellow card came on 9, a particularly foolish one for Shots striker Rob Elvins who charged down a Michael Morrison free-kick from the halfway line when well under ten yards away. Suitably chastened, he retreated about twenty yards for the retaken kick after being booked.

Ref Sutton, now with the bit between his teeth, wasted no time in adding to his victims a minute later when Rendell was booked for dissent after having been denied a good free-kick shout. Scott Davies sent a free-kick wide for the visitors, and on 12 Pitt set up Knights for a stab at goal, deflected for a corner by Rhys Day.

A minute later came the softest booking yet as Dan Gleeson was penalised for his first foul of the match on Joel Grant, even though he appeared to get a touch of the ball. The United wing-back soon recovered, though, chesting a cross from Louis Soares back to Potter from inside the six-yard box with Rob Elvins breathing down his neck like a particularly famished vampire. Who wasn't afraid of crosses.

United were having the better of the possession, but the Shots were swift on the counter and Grant fired over on 16. Two minutes later came a bad blow for the hosts as Mark Albrighton collided with Peters and had to be carried off with a badly gashed knee. Nine stitches ensued while Gavin Hoyte stepped into the breach with strength and authority.

The U's responded with renewed vigour and Gleeson's splendid run to the byline culminated in a low cross to Knights ten yards out in the middle; his snap shot crashed against the underside of the bar, and as Rendell lunged to follow up, he was flagged offside. Closest yet.

Gleeson was the provider again on 24, his excellent cross finding Boylan in the centre darting between two lofty centre-backs, but his header with the whole goal at his mercy was directed disappointingly wide. The excitement continued, however, as less than a minute later Morrison picked up the ball in the centre circle, advanced unchallenged then from 35 yards out thrashed a thunderbolt of a shot which was screaming in under the bar until tipped spectacularly over by a diving Bull. Extraordinary stuff.

The ref stuck his oar in again, though, on 28 as Wolleaston cut in along the byline and was bundled over by Straker as he headed for goal. Unbelievably, Sutton adjudged the United man to have dived and carded him accordingly. Wrong, wrong, wrong, as wrong as Jim Davidson in a leopardskin thong. Winking.

Three minutes later Hoyte appeared to be clearly fouled but play was waved on. The ball was cleared but as United's back line advanced, it was pumped back again over the top by Elvins and strike partner Johnny Dixon, running from deep, was played onside by Morrison in the right channel. From thereon in it was a formality as Dixon waltzed clear down the middle and tucked past the helpless Potter from the edge of the box. 1-0.

It was desperately harsh on a dominant United side, and ominously, Aldershot had won every game in which they had taken the lead this season. But this U's team has made something of a speciality of coming back from a goal down this term, so despite the quality of the opposition, there was no doomin' and a-gloomin' from the hosts at this early stage.

The hosts resumed their pressure within a heartbeat. A Reed free-kick on 32 threaded its way across the box to Rendell at the far post, but his diving header lacked the pace to beat Bull. Two minutes later Wolleaston fired low across the box and it was cleared for a corner, and on 37 Knights set up Rendell but, off balance, he scooped over from close range.

There was more annoyance towards the ref at the other end when Grant knocked the ball past Gleeson then threw himself to the floor with a theatrical dive that belonged in the forthcoming panto season, only for Sutton to award him the free-kick, although thankfully he resisted the temptation to show Gleeson a second yellow.

On 40 Wolleaston surged from midfield, cut inside and tested Bull's handling with a curler aimed at the far post. United still dominated, undaunted by the opposition's goal, and the visitors' cause was not helped when defender Ricky Newman was forced to withdraw just before half-time, replaced by Anthony Charles.

Gier betrayed his side's pressure with a spot of verbals and pushing and shoving with Hoyte, and in the four added minutes there was time for one more United chance, Pitt finding Boylan with a cross which he nodded over.

Although one down, United were applauded warmly from the pitch for a performance full of spirit and adventure which had just lacked a score to seal their superiority. Aldershot were dangerous opposition, but the belief was still there in both team and supporters: we can win this.

Funnily enough, it was the visitors who started part two best, trying to nick a quick second goal to give them a solid platform on which to defend. But they could not find a way through, and best early shot was from Reed, one of his specials from 25 yards which was headed for the top corner until palmed behind by Bull.

United took their time to build back their head of steam, not helped by the peculiar antics of the linesman on the Main Stand side who seemed to be experimenting with officiating with his eyes shut. Most bizarre decision was when Reed had a cross from the right cleared, received the ball back again and was promptly flagged offside despite having receiving it from an opposing defender who was nearer the goal than he was. Strange man.

Around the hour mark, the black and amber kettle began to boil again. Wolleaston had a cross cleared to Pitt, he found Rendell and his blaster was deflected behind for a corner. Boylan stung Bull's gloves with a fizzer on 61, and a minute later the renewed pressure paid off.

The mercurial Knights was the creator, taking on Straker on the right, initially losing possession to the Shots left-back but winning it back tigerishly, haring for goal then measuring a perfect cross to find Boylan in the middle, again sneaking between two defenders to power a header triumphantly home with Bull this time powerless to intervene. 1-1!

The Shots responded with a substitution, John Grant replacing Elvins to join his namesake up front. Meanwhile the man in black just got weirder. Another high-speed United attack saw Wolleaston fire for goal and his shot appeared to strike Day on the hand, to loud appeals from the NRE. Now when a normal ref turns down a claim, he makes a gesture with his hands, waving them low to the ground. But not Mr Sutton, oh no. He put his whistle in his mouth with one hand and pointed towards the penalty spot with the other, and the players on both sides literally stopped for a few seconds in anticipation of the shrill peal of the pea.

But he did not blow! Aldershot were first to cotton on to the ref's peculiar non-decision and managed to hoof the ball clear before any damage could be done. But the antics of the officials were now in danger of overshadowing what was a cracking cup tie.

This United side is made of stern stuff, however, and they were soon back on the offensive. A superb run from deep by Wolleaston on 68 culminated in a pass to Knights whose powerful shot from the right channel was pawed away by Bull; the ball eventually ran to Rendell fifteen yards out, and his goalbound shot was again parried by the irascible Shots keeper.

The visitors made a further change on 70, Lewis Chalmers replacing Soares, then Sutton realised he had not booked anyone for, ooh, ages so carded Joel Grant for a trip on Gleeson. His namesake John almost caught United on the hop a couple of minutes later as Shots proved they could still threaten on the break, but with the goal at his mercy twelve yards out, he wellied hopelessly over with the aplomb of Jonny Wilkinson after fifteen cans of Red Bull.

Rendell and Peters needed some TLC from Greg Reid as the two sides continued to lock horns like a couple of rutting bull moose. On 76 Day attempted to head a through ball back to Bull but got insufficient power on it and Boylan darted onto it down the left channel and lifted a tremendous angled effort past the Shots keeper but agonisingly past the far post too.

Three minutes later it was Pitt's turn to probe, picking up possession wide left, cutting inside past two opponents before lashing a fantastic right-footed Exocet which was soaring under the bar until Bull leapt to flick over again.

Neither side wanted a replay and ten minutes from time JQ introduced fresh blood in the shape of Fortune-West, replacing Rendell after a tremendously hard-grafting afternoon. The best managers are the luckiest managers, and within five minutes of his introduction LFW had proved his boss right.

United were awarded a free-kick wide on the right after Chalmers fouled Morrison. Reed swept it into a crowded area, and in a rare misjudgement Bull raced from goal and tried in vain to reach it through the throng. In the ensuing melee Bull ended up in a heap, the goal was empty and it dropped deliciously for LFW to tap home from twelve yards, his trundler having just enough power to bobble home before it could be caught by the chasing defender. 2-1!

Another late goal. Another late winner? How ironic if Bull's mistake should cost his side the match. Mikey Hyem came on for Knights to see out the last few minutes, but with a minute of normal time to go it was hearts in mouths time due to that rarest of rarities, a Mark Peters error. The big man swung at a ball in the corner of the box and missed completely, letting John Grant in behind him.

His low cross across the area found Joel Grant in space at the far post, unmarked, six yards out. Potter was stranded across the other side of goal, although Morrison was also manning the goal line. Astonishingly, Grant pulled his shot right back across the face of goal and wide of the far post. What a miss. What a relief!

The visitors tried to salvage something, Straker finding Potter's gloves with a hopeful long-ranger, but with four added minutes to fill, United coolly took the ball to the corner to see it out. Davies, enraged by Pitt's nimble dexterity, conceded a free-kick and saw red, flinging the ball at the United wing-back right in front of the ref. Silly sausage. Violent conduct, red card. Shots manager Gary Waddock did not even give him a glance as he trudged disconsolately past him on the way to the dressing-room.

Mr Sutton was not quite finished, though; he clearly did not like United's time-consuming tactics and despite a good view denied them a clear corner and a throw-in, giving both the other way when the ball had obviously come off a Shots player last.

But we were not going to let this Football League reject spoil our day. There was still time for one last LFW break, but he was marshalled wide by Gier, then it was all over. What a cracking game, what a tremendous Cup tie between two splendid, positive teams with two sets of noisy supporters.

The match stats were impressive: United 10 shots on target and 9 off target to Aldershot's 2 and 5 respectively, 9-2 to the U's on corners and 14-10 to the visitors on fouls, not a lot considering there were five bookings and a sending-off. But most impressive was this United team's resilience and determination to play good football against excellent opposition, and ultimately to win the day. Deservedly.

Now in addition to a great Conference season, we've got a Cup run to enjoy too. And our goals were shown on Match Of The Day. You get the feeling that the best is yet to come. Now that's magic.

Statto Corner
The U's have reached the Second Round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2003-04, when a victory at Lancaster City's Giant Axe was followed by a replay defeat at the Abbey to Macclesfield Town on penalties.

United's longest unbeaten run in the Cup before that was in 2002-03: five games consisting of a draw and victory over Scarborough, the same over Northampton Town, and a home draw with Millwall before the U's finally succumbed 3-2 in a replay at the New Den. A similar unbeaten run this season and we'd be in the fifth round. All together now: We're going to Wembley, with Jimmy and Fester...

Player Ratings
Potter 7. Great to have him back and was rarely extended, although the Shots did miss two sitters.
Albrighton 7. Classy as ever until forced off after only 18 minutes.
Peters 8. Immense presence and thankfully the team survived his one, extremely rare, major error.
Morrison 8. Sterling effort on both sides of the back three. And where did that long-range shot come from??
Gleeson 8. Dependable as a metronome.
Wolleaston 8. Kept up a splendid run of form.
Reed 9. United's unsung hero enjoyed an outstanding match, holding the team together with pinpoint-accurate passing.
Pitt 8. Gleeson's more defensive role allowed Courtney more scope to attack Aldershot, and he did so to great effect.
Knights 8. The boy is sheer quality and so dangerous. Did give the ball away a little too often today.
Rendell 8. Led the line with tireless effort.
Boylan 9. Top quality striker.

Hoyte 9. Magnificent demonstration of no-nonsense defending, unbeatable in the air and uncompromising but accurate in his crunching tackles.
Fortune-West 8. You can't ask more of a late sub than that he scores the winner, but he made an impressive all-round contribution in his ten minutes.
Hyem 7. On for a matter of minutes, he did not let anyone down, as usual.

Match Summary
This tremendous United team just keeps getting better and better. Cup victory from one down to the best side they have played this season is testament to their spirit, will to win and sheer talent. Savour these days, for they are truly special.

Man of the Match
Lee Boylan. Masterclass of the forward's art, full of intelligent running and quality finishing. Might have had a hat-trick on another day.

Ref Watch
Sutton 4. Some refs are good, some refs are bad, but this chap was just plain weird. Unnecessary bookings, utterly wrong decisions, strange behaviour all round. What on Earth did he have to drink before the match? Whatever it was, his 'assistants' must have partaken as well...

Non-League Player's Name of the Week
Sutton United's booze-tastic Ouzo Opara.

Soundtrack of the Day
Broken Family Band 'Leaps'

Andrew Bennett

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