THE66POW: FA NON LEAGUE FINALS DAY 2018 - Stockton Town v Thatcham Town - FA Vase Final & Brackley Town v Bromley

It's a gloriously sunny morning as I cruise southbound along a virtually deserted A1, to catch the first train from Newark to London.

I could've caught the same Inter City conveyance from East Retford upon Idle, but made allowances for the possibility of any extra time, penalties and the like, that might occur this afternoon (which in the event was a wise move)... and figured that whatever time I would be heading home later, there are two or three trains per hour from Kings Cross to Newark Northgate, but only the same number daily to sleepy hollow, so getting back wouldn't be a problem or entail spending any more time than I have to experiencing the dubious delights of Kings Cross station.

The East Coast Main Line network has been taken back under public ownership this week, meaning Stagecoach and that Richard Branson bloke have both been punted, so it stood to reason that the train I was booked to travel on was cancelled... and the next one was late.

I've never had any problems whatsoever with the Virgin/Stagecoach services as regards to them running punctually, but dread to think how Her Majesty's Government are going to organise things on a re-nationalised train service, before they sell it off to the highest bidder and re-privatise things again in the near future. What a cock-eyed way of conducting a business.

But having adopted the stance of a pragmatic, suffer in silence, stiff upper lipped, weary and time served English traveller, who dismissively scoffs at any kind of inconvenience caused to their travel plans... and who'd never, ever dream of complaining about the fact that three toilets were out of order and the air conditioning on this ancient rolling stock was completely shagged; I found a quiet corner in the rear carriage next to the oversized luggage rack and curled up to have a 'power nap', before arriving in Londonshire some fifty five minutes prior to kick off, and hotfooting it, past all of the non league fans dressed in their brand new Vase and Trophy finalists

attire and coloured favours, who were crowded around London Underground maps seeking demystification... and twenty minutes later, via the Metropolitan Line (catch the purple line folks, it's really quick and the grey one stops everywhere), I was strolling along Wembley Way, ignoring the half and half scarf sellers and heading for turnstile G. All the queues prior to the first game were around the other side of the stadium, where the Stockton and Thatcham hordes were all sitting today.

Kinnel! They never stop throwing up new buildings around this corner of north west London, you soon won't be able to see the illuminated arch for miles around from the trains and roads into the area... and though I won't miss it half as much as the famous Twin Towers, I liked Wembley Stadium when it still stood out tall and proud amid spacious surroundings, but I'm not a massive fan of all of this recently erected, vastly ugly, urban sprawl. But hey! It sure as hell gave me a new backdrop perspective for the mandatory Wembley tourist Bobby Moore statue photograph.

Sunday 20th May 2018
FA Vase Final
at Wembley Stadium
Stockton Town (0) 0
Thatcham Town (1) 1
Shane Cooper Clark 24 pen
Admission £25 for both games
Programme £5 for both games
Combined attendance for both games 31,430
THE66POW FA VASE FINAL PHOTOS: CLICK HERE

Stockton Town:
Michael Arthur, Joe Carter (Matt Garbutt 61), James Ward (Adam Nicholson 79), Nathan Mulliugan, Dale Mulligan, Tom Coulthard (C), Kevin Hayes, Fred Woodhouse, Jamie Owens, James Risborough, Chris Stockton (Sonni Coleman 66)
Unused subs - Alan Cossavella, Chris Dunwell
Thatcham Town:
Chris Rackley, Lewis Brownhill, Curtis Angell, Tom Melledew (Ashleigh James 83), Baboucarr Jarra, Tom Moran, Harrison Bayley, Shane Cooper Clark (Ross Cook 78), Gavin James, Ekow Elliott, Jordan Brown (Jemel Johnson 70),
Unused subs - Harry Grant, Gareth Thomas

In the days first game, kicking off at 12.15PM, the Hellenic League Premier Division champions Thatcham Town beat their Northern League Division One opponents, Stockton Town, by a single goal to nil, scored by Shane Cooper Clark from the penalty spot, in the twenty fourth minute, after Jordan Brown had weaved his way into the 'Anchors' penalty area, only to be tripped from behind by James Ward. The Stockton keeper Michael Arthur got down well to his right to get a hand to the spot kick, but couldn't keep the ball out of his net.
Their win meant that Thatcham have clocked u pa forty one game unbeaten run.

It was Cooper Clark's sixty third goal for the 'Kingfishers' this season, an impressive total by anyone's standards, that he has amassed in fifty eight appearances.
Stockton had almost taken the lead earlier in the game, when Fred Woodhouse lobbed the ball over the Blues keeper Chris Rackley for Chris Stockton to run onto, but with the goal at his mercy, he was denied when Baboucarr Jarra took one for the team and blocked Stockton's knock, getting his head in the way and probably seeing stars for the remainder of the first half as a consequence.

Cooper-Clark caught the ball with a peach of a volley, but was thwarted by Arthur, who pulled off a great save to stop the Berkshire based side doubling their lead just before half time.
HT 0-1
Once again Arthur denied Thatcham again, as the second half began to unfold, when he read where Ekow Elliott's left sided delivery into his box was going, and was subsequently well placed to save from Gavin James.
Arthur was beaten by James when Cooper Clark cut the ball back to him from the right, but his thumping knock crashed back off of the underside of the bar... and suffice to say, Russian linesman only officiate in World Cup games at Wembley, not non-league finals.

Thatcham had had enough chances to be comfortably two or three goals to the good by now, but while Stockton were still only trailing by a solitary goal, it was very much 'game on' and they pushed forward late in the game in search of an equaliser.
It looked as though Woodhouse was odds on to snatch a goal when he struck a pile-driver from ten yards out, but Jarra contorted his body and threw himself in the way to block the ball, in a manner you might associate with the movie 'The Matrix;.
There is a very narrow dividing line between bravery and crazy stuff sometimes, by that token, Thatcham are very fortunate to have such a dedicated nutcase in their ranks.
Kevin Hayes floated the ball into the Thatcham area towards Dale Mulligan who beat everybody in the air, but headed over the bar.

With full time beckoning, Stockton threw every man forward for a corner, including their goalkeeper, but it almost backfired when Thatcham cleared and counter attacked at pace. Ross Cook was miles faster than Arthur and having reached the final third, then the goal area, as he steadied himself to shoot Matt Garbutt appeared out of nowhere, just like that strange little shopkeeper in the Mr Benn cartoons and brilliantly executed a text book slide tackle, to deny Cook the easiest of chances to roll the ball into an empty and unguarded net.
It (the slide tackle) is a dying art form and ought to be made compulsory in PE lessons at all schools, so that the nations young footballers don't grow up to be a bunch of Walter Softy type pushovers.

But though the 'Anchors' came good during the final ten minutes or so, Thatcham had definitely deserved to win this afternoon's opening game... and the first prize of the day was awarded to their captain Tom Melledew, who triumphantly lifted the silverware aloft for all to see, with a chuffing great big grin all over his face.
FT: Stockton Town 0 v Thatcham Town 1

The only downside to Non League Finals Day is that you can leave the Stadium during the two hour window in between the games, or at any given time for that matter, but re-admittance is strictly forbidden.

Today's combined attendance for both games, was an impressive 31,430, but that figure is down on last season's total of 38,224 and 15,351 less than the 2016 high of 46,781.

Friends who have travelled to previous Finals Days, but who didn't bother this year, cited being kept captive in a stadium concourse/seats for two hours between games as the main reason for their non attendance today, which ought to be a concern to the event organisers.

The solution, in my humble opinion, isn't exactly rocket science.

When spectators purchase tickets for both games, issue them with two separate tickets, or one ticket with two clearly defined separate bar codes at either end to scan upon entry and re-entry.

Obviously when factoring the length of time required between games, you have to consider things like the possibility of extra time, penalties, presentations, pitch maintenance and the flow of spectators who only intend to watch one game, so two hours is probably about right, but given how the second game panned out today, spending six hours cooped up in one section of Wembley Stadium, regardless of how spotlessly clean and modern it might be in comparison to many other sports venues, obviously isn't ideal for many people. There must be a myriad of possible solutions to accommodate the wishes of those who travel to attend this prestigious event... and I sincerely hope that the FA and stadium authorities are investigating all available options right now.

Sunday 20th May 2018
FA Trophy Final
at Wembley Stadium
Brackley Town (0) 1
Gareth Dean (Or Roger Johnson OG) 90+4
Bromley FC (1) 1
Omar Bugiel 19
Brackley Town won 5-4 on penalties
Admission £25 for both games
Programme £5 for both games
Combined attendance for both games 31,430

Brackley Town:

Danny Lewis, Matt Lowe (Steve Diggin 111), Connor Franklin (Ellis Myles 78) ,Shane Byrne, Alex Gudger, Gareth Dean (C), Glenn Walker, James Armson, Lee Ndlovu (Andy Brown 53), Aaron Williams, Adam Walker.

Unused subs - Luke Graham, Theo Streete

Bromley FC:

David Gregory, Jack Holland (C), Frankie Raymond, Louis Dennis (Brandon Hanlon 68), Adam Mekki (Ben Chorley 72), Jordan Higgs, Tyrone Sterling, George Porter (Josh Rees 62), Roger Johnson, Frankie Sutherland, Omar Bugiel.

Unused subs - Alan Dunne, Dan Johnson

Bromley started the game well and took the game to Brackley from the off, but after Omar Bugiel had put the Kent side ahead, firing past Danny Lewis from just inside the Saints area, after being set up by Adam Mekki's unselfish lay off at the end of a forty yard run from midfield, and George Porter almost doubled the lead shortly afterwards, with a crisp volley that Lewis did well to get his body behind and save, Kevin Wilkin's side grew into the game and became the dominant team, in my humble estimation.

Matt Lowe and Tyrone Sterling were two of the stand out players for Brackley as they set about pummeling the midriff of the team from a division above them to good effect as half time approached. But Neil Smith's side dug in and repelled their lively Northants opponents until half time and went in for the break still a goal to the good.

HT: Saints 0 v Ravens 1

I say Ravens, but Bromley also go by the name of the Lillywhites... so now you know!

At half time I *accidentally* wandered through a partition and completely missed the 'STAFF ACCESS ONLY' signage... and ended up in now virtually deserted Stockton fans area of the ground, which had plenty of seats to choose from, but more importantly, it was in the shade. I swear that I could smell my flesh cooking after spending two hours in the blazing sun.

The second half commenced pretty much as the first one had ended, with Brackley on the attack.

James Armson almost levelled things up, twice as the Saints pushed on towards the goal that their fans were sitting nearest too, but his first attempt rolled just past the wrong side of the upright, that he actually smashed the ball against with his next effort; while David Gregory in the Bromley goal reacted quickly to block Adam Walker's shot from a tight angle.

Gleen Walker took the ball into the 'Lillywhites' area, as far as the dead ball line, before pulling it back to Armston who skewed his shot well off target when it probably looked easier to score.

Bromley enjoyed several large servings and second helpings of luck inside their own area, with Gregory working miracles for them in goal, and as the game went into stoppage time, it looked to all intents and purposes as if the dogged defensive resistance they had shown, especially during the second half, was going take them over the finishing line and up the stairs to collect the Trophy.

Four minutes into stoppage tome Matt Lowe's shot hit the left hand and ricocheted towards either Roger Johnson, who couldn't get out of the way and inadvertently nudged the ball into his own goal, or Gareth Dean who poked the ball past Gregory. Either way, we were about to at least another thirty minutes of action to enjoy.

90+6 Minutes: Brackley Town 1 v Bromley 1

Brackley deserved their chance to claim the result in extra time, but neither side added to the scoreline during the added thirty minutes... and the 2018 FA Trophy Final was going to be decided on penalties.

David Gregory saved the first kick by Shane Byrne, which Bromley had the upper hand, right until the end of the allotted five kicks apiece, when Omar Bugiel put the ball wide.

So the drama extended into what is rather theatrically known as 'Instant Death'.

Jack Holland stepped forward... and with the pressure and burden on his shoulders, competing with the Wembley sunshine for it's intensity, he thumped Bromley's sixth penalty against the post.

Andy Brown was entrusted with what turned out to be the last kick and as Gregory moved fractionally one way, Brackley's second half substitute planted it the other... and the FA Trophy would be heading up the M40 tonight.

Full penalty shoot out details:

Brackley Town:

Shane Byrne Saved, Aaron Williams scored, Steve Diggin scored, James Armson scored, Glenn Walker scored, Andy Brown scored

Bromley:

Frankie Sutherland scored, Frankie Raymond scored, Brandon Hanlan scored, Josh Rees scored, Omar Bugiel missed, Jack Holland hit post

FT: Brackley Town 1 v Bromley 1 (AET)

Brackley Town won on penalties

I hope that Brackley enjoyed their celebrations, but I didn't hang about to watch them, my happy abode was still 144 miles away and I was already late for my tea.

Having only had to wait three minutes at Wembley Park station, for a 'purple line' train, they were still probably only half way round their lap of honour, when I sat down in a less than half full train to Newark that was only making one stop en route, at Grantham.

Giddy up! We're homeward bound.