Tunbridge Wells 1-0 Dunston UTS - It feels special to knock out the holders, says Martin Larkin

TUNBRIDGE WELLS  1-0  DUNSTON UTS
The FA Carlsberg Vase Fourth Round
Saturday 9^th February 2013
Stephen McCartney reports from Culverden Stadium

TUNBRIDGE WELLS manager Martin Larkin described this as the best day after his heroes sent FA Carlsberg Vase holders Dunston UTS crashing out and also created history by reaching the last sixteen for the very first time in the club’s history.

The club were previously thwarted at this stage by Hornchurch (1974-75), Hoddesdon (1975-76), Gosport Borough (1978-79), Wisbech Town (1984-85), Hoddesdon (1992-93) and last season when they went down to a 1-0 defeat at home to St Ives Town with a goal inside the final eight minutes.

But on this occasion, the men in red won their battles all over the pitch and target man Andy Irvine clipped home his tenth-goal of the season to seal a deserved victory with 24 minutes of a hard-fought game left.

This game was postponed on three occasions over the past three Saturday’s, but it was definitely worth the wait for Larkin.

”We spoke about this game for a good two or three weeks and it was obviously here today,” he said.

“All we said in the changing room was to make sure we turned up.  We turned up physically, we turned up mentally and that’s all we could ask and the result would take care of itself.

”I thought they were magnificent.  The back four defensively we’re just incredible. The front two worked really hard and the midfield guys worked really hard but Josh (Stanford) on the left-hand side was fantastic all game. The back four were just immense again.

”Dunston are a really, really, really good side but I don’t think anyone who was at the game today would honestly think we didn’t deserve it. I thought we fully deserved the win.”

It was a day for heroes and Larkin was quick to praise his entire squad, not just the thirteen that took to the pitch.

He said: “Eighteen of them, we’ve got a good squad. Those that weren’t playing today were upset about it but they got over it pretty quickly.  They were in the changing room enjoying themselves. They’re a very, very close bunch of lads.

”When balls are being pumped into your box in the last five minutes of the game that’s what keeps you going. Their closeness and their spirit that they’ve got together is a credit to the leaders in the team.”

Dunston arrived at Culverden Stadium after a night stay at Maidstone with concerns over the sticky pitch – in fact most of their players stayed off the pitch for as long as they could prior to the pre-match warm-up.

It was clear that Dunston were not up for it before the game and that transpired on to the pitch during the game.

A game that lacked quality due to the conditions, it was the Gateshead-based visitors’ that created the first chance inside the opening six minutes.

Left-back Daniel Smith played the ball forward to winger Lee McAndrew who floated over a cross towards the far post for right-winger Dale Burrell to beat his marker to loop his towering header over from eight-yards.

But the home side got to grips with the game and right-winger Jon Pilbeam fed the ball to Irvine’s feet, who turned and cracked a right-footed shot which sailed over in to the huge numbers of supporters watching from the bank of terracing.

Perry Spackman – who was immense along with Scott Whibley at the heart of the home side’s back four – clipped a free-kick towards the edge of the box, where Josh Stanford rose to head the ball across the penalty area and Irvine and Tom Davey combined to spread the ball out wide to Pilbeam, whose cross towards the far post was hooked wide by Stanford.

After that initial opening ten minutes, the game turned into a drab midfield scrap with no tempo, before Tunbridge Wells created their best chance in the 21^st minute.

Dunston’s combative midfielder Michael Dixon was penalised by referee Ian Bentley for a trip on Davey, just outside the corner of the penalty box.

Andy McMath, who emigrates to Australia at the end of the season, whipped in the resulting free-kick a couple of yards outside the box and Irvine glanced his header just over the bar from within a crowd of players from ten-yards.

Larkin said: “I thought we were brilliant in the first half. I thought we had five or six opportunities, which we didn’t capitalize.  Irvs got too much on that one, a little glance it would’ve dropped into the bottom corner – he’s a threat.”

Another chance fell Tunbridge Wells’ way when McMath charged forward before Pilbeam played an excellent diagonal pass to pick out Stanford inside the box, but he dragged his left-footed shot off the heels off his marker and the ball splattered off the mud and rolled for a corner.

Dunston, who went into the game in seventh-place in the strong Northern League but are 30 points behind leaders Darlington 1883, went route one with a decent chance in the 28^th minute.

Smith delivered a corner from the left, which was flicked on by Dixon’s towering header and striker Stephen Goddard hooked a first time volley from sixteen-yards, which rolled to untroubled keeper Chris Oladogba.

Fine play from Pilbeam set up a chance for McMath, who was running alongside him, but his left-footed drive screamed wide of the left-hand post from 30-yards.

Dunston’s best chance, however, arrived in the 32^nd minute when Dale Burrell picked up the ball on the right and clipped a cross towards the far post but 21-goal striker Andrew Bulford nodded down and wide of the near post from four-yards.

It was to be the striker’s only chance because he was left in Spackman’s pocket throughout the game before being hauled off by his manager Billy Irwin.

Larkin said: “He’s scored in every round of the Vase last year, he’s a very, very good player.  We said if we shut things out then we’ve got a very good chance because they don’t get a lot of goals from elsewhere. It was important we closed him off and I thought we did that.

”When he got substituted off everyone’s chests went out a little bit because he is a bit of a legend in the Vase in terms of the goals that he’s scored.  He got both of the goals in the final last year.  To see him off and keep a clean sheet, again is testament to the whole team’s defensive effort today.  He wasn’t getting much joy out off Scott and Perry to be fair.”

A strong but fair sliding challenge by Dunston right-back Pickering on Stanford saw the ball poked to Goddard, who made a run towards goal before he swept his right-footed shot from 30-yards which deflected past the far post for one of Dunston’s eight wasted corners.

Tunbridge Wells’ best chance to break the stalemate came inside the final two minutes of the first half following a fine sweeping move.

Pilbeam played the ball inside to Irvine who held the ball up before McMath played a fine pass to put Pilbeam through on goal.

And with the roar coming from the bank of terracing, Pilbeam sensed glory and bravely slid in to poke his shot towards goal, but keeper Liam Connell raced off his line before diving at the winger’s feet to make a brave and crucial block.

Larkin added: “The move of the game was when Pilbs got there at the same time as the goalkeeper.  It was a good save to be fair. I thought their goalkeeper was decent.”

Tunbridge Wells’ left-back Lewis Mingle ventured into Dunston’s half and exchanged a one-two with Stanford, but Mingle lost composure and sent his speculative right-footed drive ballooning high over the bar from 25-yards.

Tunbridge Wells keeper Oladogba showed a clean pair of hands when he plucked Dixon’s looping header out of the air following McAndrew’s corner.

When asked what he told his players’ during the half-time interval, Larkin admitted he didn’t want to suffer a bitter disappointment as they did at this stage last season.

”We said ‘look if we come here in 45 minutes time and we haven’t won the game we’ll feel what if.’

”We’ve got them at our level at the minute. That (St Ives) game was there to be taken and we didn’t take it and this time it was important that we stepped up to the plate.

”We’re all a year older, a year more experienced and this was the time to deliver it and that’s what we did.

”The Vase has been good to us. We enjoy The Vase.  The Leverstock game a couple off seasons ago we should’ve done better with and last years’ St Ives game we really should’ve won that game. It was a critical moment. Our season dropped off after that so it was important we used that as a motivation. 

”We knew they were going to come at us and stay organised but we just felt that game was there to be taken and someone to step up and put the ball into the back of the net.  Irvs obviously did that!”

The home side pressed on the front foot early in the second half, but they couldn’t get the breakthrough their play deserved.

Dixon released Dunston striker Goddard whose left-footed drive was hit straight at Oladogba, who has made himself a firm favourite with the home fans.

On the hour mark, one Dunston supporter was heard barking, “we’ve got to give a bit more,” but in truth they meekly surrendered their grasp on the silverware, which they won by beating West Auckland Town – the side that beat Herne Bay in the semi-finals – at Wembley Stadium last May.

But with the annoying vuvuzela’s being blown throughout the game by kids’ and traveling supporters, Tunbridge Wells created history with the 66^th minute winner to send the home fans into ecstasy.

There appeared to be little danger when Dunston right-back Pickering stroked the ball back towards his keeper Connell, who looped a first time clearance only twenty yards out of his penalty area.

Full credit must go to diminutive Stanford who pounced on the loose ball and burst forward into the penalty area before looking up and cutting the ball across the face of goal past a couple of visiting players and the ball fell kindly at Irvine’s left-foot, who spun to loop his shot into the top right-hand corner from eight-yards.

Larkin said: “You saw on Monday (in our 2-1 win away to Fisher) we like press when the time is right in certain areas and Josh felt their right-back was there to taking a bit and Josh worked really hard and the balls gone across the box in what is a difficult penalty area as you could imagine and Irvs very kindly slotted it home. 

”Once we got the goal that was the boost we needed.”

When asked what he was feeling during the celebrations, Larkin replied, “Get a second!  That’s what we wanted. If we got a second it would be game over at any point during the game. That’s what we had to go and do but we were unable to do it.

”If we got our defensive shape we’d be fine because we’ve defended so well. We probably gave away too many free-kicks in the second half. They put a lot of balls into our box, but Chris dealt with them.”

Dunston were now glaring down the empty glass of defeat and manager Irwin made a double substitution in an attempt to claw his flat side back into the game.

A chance arrived in the 71^st minute when Smith played in a low free-kick from 30-yards and the home defence left Dixon in space at the near post but he failed to get a decent touch to the ball which flashed towards goal, forcing Oladogba to fling his frame low to his right to clutch the ball safely.

Oladogba’s performances in goal has forced big Slovakian goalkeeper Michal Czanner to watch from the sidelines.

”He’s a good keeper. He’s a really good keeper. He has to be to keep Michal out of the side to be fair.

”He’s coming back from an injury so he’s a little bit rusty still. He plucks things out off the air, he catches things when other people often punch it. His shot stopping is very, very good.

”He didn’t have a proper save to make today, he had a couple from distance and he’s caught a few crosses.”

Tunbridge Wells slowed the game down as time slowly ticked away and Dunston created one more late chance.

Dunston won a free-kick inside the Tunbridge Wells’ half and keeper Connell pumped one desperate kick into the penalty area and Dixon’s free header was spilt by Oladogba, who gathered at the second attempt, leaving Dixon’s head in his hands in despair.

The final whistle saw the home keeper and substitute Jason Barton mobbed by the fans behind the goal and a mini pitch invasion from jubilant home fans and despair for the holders.

When asked how he was feeling at the final whistle, Larkin replied, ”Special. It is special. There was a big, noisy crowd here today and it’s special because they are the holders and they’ve come down with a big reputation. Their League has got a massive reputation and we’ve given them all that we’ve got.  We’ve played it as we play a Kent League game and we’ve come out on top. It is actually special to knock them out.

”It’s the best day, definitely the best day. We’ve had a few bumps along the way but we’re progressing and building. I said to the guys before hand if it goes wrong and it doesn’t go our way and we get beat it’ll me they’ll talk about but we’ve won. It’s them (my players) and that’s the important thing. They’re the guys that go on the pitch and do it week in week out.  They’re the ones that put their bodies on the line the whole time so days like today are for the players. It’s their little bit of glory.”

Tunbridge Wells are in the last sixteen for the very first time and Larkin travel to Bath to play Larkhall Athletic next Saturday.

Larkin said: “It’s the first time the club’s ever done it so it’s a massive achievement.  We did talk about legacy with the lads because there’s not been a better (Tunbridge Wells) Vase team than the guys in that group so that’s something to be proud off.

When asked whether his side can go on and lift the silverware, previously won by Tommy Sampson’s Deal Town back in 2000, Larkin replied, “We’re one of sixteen that have got a chance!”

Jason Bourne, 32, Tunbridge Wells’ long-serving skipper, who plays at right-back, paid tribute to his team mates and the supporters’ who saw them through.

”We were fully prepared for it but what we didn’t know was what Dunston were going to bring. We knew they were the Vase holders so we prepared the best we could.

”I think we turned up on the day and out worked them.  That’s what it comes down to in knock-out football. It’s on the day and who wants it more. 

”I think we created more chances than them. I thought we thoroughly deserved at least a 1-0 win.”

Bourne was pleased that Irvine kept plugging away to create history for the club.

”It’s great to have him back. He’s really keen. He works his socks off. He had his hands full with the centre half today because he was a big strong lad but he kept plugging away and when the chance came you backed him to finish and he did!”

Bourne revealed he is proud to be skipper of his home-town club.

He said: “We had a very good crowd here today. I don’t know what it was, I think it was 500+ but for us it’s about giving it back to them.  I mean the Tunbridge Wells fans’ have been through thick and thin with us and they turn up week in week out. We’ve got the best crowds in the League and today they didn’t let us down. It’s all about giving it back to them and they were tremendous again.

”It feels great. I’m really proud to skipper the side at the best of times, but I’m really proud of all the boys. They all really turned up.  Larks puts everyone in their paces and I’m proud to do it for him, chairman Joe (Croker) and everyone behind the scenes here.  That’s what I want to do here. I want to put something back and I think today all the players have done that.

”I think a little bit of mental toughness, a bit more experience in the side and that came through today.”

When asked whether he is dreaming of lifting The FA Carlsberg Vase at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 4 May, Bourne naturally said: “Of course I am!  Everyone in the Vase must be. If you’re not, you’re not going to be fully motivated.  We know we’ve got to work hard in every game.”

Tunbridge Wells: Chris Oladogba, Jason Bourne, Lewis Mingle, Tom Davey (Jason Barton 56), Scott Whibley, Perry Spackman, Jon Pilbeam, Andy McMath, Andy Irvine (Jack Harris 76), Carl Cornell, Josh Stanford.
Subs: Andy Boyle, Keelan Mooney, Brad Large

Goal: Andy Irvine 66

Booked: Jason Barton 84

Dunston UTS: Liam Connell, Steven Pickering (Steven Shaw 73), Daniel Smith, Ian Herron, Christopher Swailes, Michael Robson, Dale Burrell, Michael Dixon, Stephen Goddard (Steven Preen 73), Andrew Bulford, Lee McAndrew.
Subs: Jack Burns, Daniel Craggs

Booked: Steven Pickering 62

Attendance: 580
Referee: Mr Ian Bentley (West Wickham)
Assistants: Mr Rhys Battye (Grays, Essex) & Mr Alexis Stacchini (Orpington)
Fourth Official: Mr Kirk English (Romford, Essex)