West Auckland staged a remarkable comeback to defeat North Shields 3-2 in the FA Vase Second Round Qualifying. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring disallowed goals, point-blank saves, and last-minute heroics.
The match started off cautiously, with both teams sizing each other up. The first real chance came in the 4th minute when Constantin of West Auckland unleashed a shot from the edge of the box that went just wide. North Shields responded in the 11th minute with a low effort that was also drilled wide.
Set Pieces and Near Misses
West Auckland had a couple of opportunities from set pieces. In the 15th minute, Walker’s free-kick found the side netting, and in the 25th minute, Scott narrowly missed the target with a header from a Hopes corner. Another corner in the 26th minute saw Scott head wide again.
The 37th minute saw excellent play between Scott and Hope for West Auckland, but the cross was blocked for a corner, which North Shields managed to clear. Almost immediately, North Shields counter-attacked, forcing a point-blank save from Liversedge.
Breakthrough
The deadlock was finally broken in the 41st minute when Bradley Hird found the roof of the net to give North Shields the lead.
Half Time: North Shields 1-0 West Auckland
Second Half
The second half began with a substitution for West Auckland, as Wayne Whitfield replaced Luke Bailey. In the 52nd minute, a disallowed goal for North Shields sparked controversy. Hird thought he had scored his second, but the goal was ruled offside.
West Auckland pushed hard for an equaliser. Walker saw his effort blocked in the 56th minute, and Nicholson’s low cross was held by the keeper.
North Shields seemed to have sealed the match in the 70th minute when Paterson set up Chisholm for a debut goal, making it 2-0.
The Comeback
However, the drama was far from over. A substitution saw Jordan Blinco replace Stephen Walker for West Auckland. Nicholson beat three defenders and delivered a low cross that was converted by Charlie Wood, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
In the 85th minute, Scott burst into the box and squared the ball to Blinco, who levelled the score at 2-2.
The turnaround was complete when Charlie Wood headed in Hopes’ free-kick to make it 2-3 in favour of West Auckland.
Full Time: North Shields 2-3 West Auckland
Conclusion
This match will be remembered for its high drama and incredible comeback. West Auckland showed great resilience to overturn a two-goal deficit and secure a thrilling 3-2 win over North Shields. West go through to the first round proper.
