It's always a tough game at Tunbridge Wells, warns Vickers boss Ricky Bennett

VCD ATHLETIC boss Ricky Bennett says he is concentrating on finishing the job to ensure the Crayford-based club progress to the national stage of The FA Carlsberg Vase, writes Stephen McCartney.


Vickers threw away a 2-1 lead against their Kent Hurlimann Football League rivals Tunbridge Wells in a pulsating 3-3 draw at Oakwood in the Third Round clash on Saturday.

Carl Cornell gave Martin Larkin’s side the lead, but goals from Casey Scotter, Aiden Pursglove gave Vickers a half-time lead.

Cornwell scored again and Ryan Rook put Tunbridge Wells in front but Billy Bennett levelled towards the end of normal time and neither side could find a winner during extra time.

“It was a decent game I would imagine for the neutral, it was a really good game to watch,” reflected Bennett.

“From my point of view it had some ups and downs, should I say some pleasing bits and some disappointing bits.”

The Vickers’ boss added: “I thought we started really well to be honest and they went a goal up and then deservedly we went in at half-time in front.

“Tunbridge Wells are a good side and we expected them to have a go at us and we lost our heads for a fifteen minute spell and they got back into the game and were getting on top to be fair.

“There were some iffy refereeing decisions, shall I say, that didn’t help the game flow as it was a good end-to-end game of football but overall it could have gone either way if I’m honest.”

It is very rare that no side nets a winner during extra time – but Bennett felt it was only fair that both sides had a second bite of the cherry.

He said: “Both sides gave so much in 90 minutes we were basically knackered for extra time, both sets of players were struggling with a bit of cramp, but again, we had a great chance to win the game in extra time and they had a couple and I thought we had a stonewall penalty turned down for us, but there you go.

“I suppose, at the end of the day, some people would say a draw was fair, but when you’re 2-1 up you should be in control and see the game out if I’m honest.”

The advantage now swings in Martin Larkin’s side’s favour for Tuesday night’s replay at Culverden Stadium.

“It’s always a tough game at Culverden, always a tough game against Tunbridge Wells,” said Bennett.

“We’ve done ok there over the last couple of seasons.   The pitch isn’t the greatest, if I’m honest and Martin will say the same. 

“We’ve got a job to do.  We’ve got to go there with a game plan that will get us through to the fourth round hopefully.”

The winners of Tuesday night’s replay will welcome St Ives Town in the Last 32 on 21 January.

The Cambridgeshire outfit have won sixteen of their last seventeen league and cup games and are presently in seventh-place in the top-flight of the United Counties League, which is the same level as the Kent Hurlimann Football League.

Bennett said: “A home draw is great! I know a little bit about them. They’re a side that usually gets to the fifth round I believe and they’ve won their previous two games away from home in the Vase this season.

“We’re not going to go into too much if I’m honest.  We’ve got a job to don on Tuesday first before we start taking about the Fourth Round.

“The squad’s a bit thin at the moment.  We just have to go with what we’ve got.  We got a couple of knocks on Saturday so we have to see how they are.  We haven’t got many bodies to call on to be honest.”

Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcdathletic.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells  v  VCD Athletic
The FA Carlsberg Vase Third Round Replay
Tuesday 6^th December 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Culverden Stadium, Culverden Down, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 9SG