Croydon 2–1 Andover Town

Andover Town’s Buildbase F.A. Vase expedition came to an abrupt end in South London, in a match they should have won comfortably. After taking the lead in the second half played as if they could go on to win but arguably won or lost during an eventful ten minute spell as the game entered the closing stages. The pitch at the Croydon Sports Arena is surrounded by a athletics track and the main stand was situated at least Thirty five yards away from the action.Subsequently the travelling Andover faithful struggled to make their presence felt. Before the kick off an immaculate two minute silence was held to honour those who gave their lives in conflict and also the victims of the Croydon Tram disaster.

Town started well with Javier Santafe-Vivo going close early on. Alex Dockree was neatly set up by Zach Glasspool but no one was able to reach the cross. At the other end livewire Karl Dougan had three bites of the cherry in a goalmouth scramble before Lloyd Thomas came to the rescue saving well at the foot of the post. At the start of the second half Adam Grangedid well with a fine run and shot before Dockree limped off and was replaced by Liam Gilbert. With an hour gone Andover gained a deserved lead. A short corner taken by Adam Grange was directed to Javier Santafe-Vivo on the edge of the area and he drilled his shot through a crowd of players and past Goalkeeper Frances Ameyaw. However the games defining moment came as the match entered it’s final fifteen minutes.Grange’s penetrating run was ended when he was brought down in the box by the Croydon captain Rob Curtis and the referee pointed to the spot.Curtis is alleged to have stamped on Grange as he lay prone and this prompted a altercation with most of the players involved. Curtis was shown a straight red card and it took almost four minutes for the referee to restore order and allow the Penalty to be taken.Grange accepted responsibility but Ameyaw went the right way and saved. He immediately cleared up field as Andover chased back to take up their positions but the defenders and Thomas got their wires crossed and Laurie Chin had no difficulty in sweeping the ball into an unguarded net. Extra time was now looking a possibility but Chin had other ideas.From within his own half he dashed along the Croydon right shrugging off four challenges before drilling across into the path of Jeff Duah-Kessie who came racing in at the far post to tap in and confirm his club’s somewhat fortunate entry into the second round draw.