FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Yaxley 0 v 0 East Thurrock United
SATURDAY’S FA Cup tie at Yaxley was somewhat controversially cut short three minutes from the final whistle when referee David Avent decided he had to abandon the tie rather than wait for medical treatment for East Thurrock’s Kris Newby who dislocated an elbow after falling awkwardly in the closing moments of the tie.
Consequently the two sides will have to resume with a fresh start on United Counties’ Yaxley’s artificial pitch on Tuesday.
The decision by the official, appeared premature as a paramedic was on the scene and an ambulance four and a half minutes away.
In many ways East Thurrock will feel aggrieved, but imagine their frustration had the game been called off with them holding a significant lead which their play, particularly in the second half when they hit the post twice and saw several efforts hacked off the line had merited.
Rocks had the better of the first half and Sam Higgins was crowded out as he bore down on goal then Yaxley keeper Andy Stevens produced a decent save to keep out Lewis Smith’s effort. James Walker’s strike at goal was then headed off the line and Tom Anderson’s follow-up effort scrambled away.
Stevens again came to the rescue with a fine save to tip Higgins’ effort onto the woodwork but, on a rare Yaxley counter, Higgins did well at the other end just before the break to hook a goalbound effort off the line.
East Thurrock were dominant throughout the second half and Mitchell Gilbey’s angled shot was well saved and the Walker’s stab at goal came back off the post.
Rocks thought they had finally broken the deadlock when Smith tapped in from close range after another Gilbey effort rebounded off the woodwork but controversially the assistant ref raised his flag for offside.
With Rocks stepping up the pressure Stevens produced a fine save to keep out Higgins’ fiercely hit shot and moments later Anderson’s instinctive header rose above the bar from close range.
Yaxley were not without their chances and Deakan Napier forced a great save from Lukas Lidakevicius.
As the clock ticked down the game became fractious and both Rocks’ Walker and Yaxley’s Wayne Morris can consider themselves lucky not to have been dismissed for wile and reckless challenges.
It seemed the game would end in stalemate until it came to its slightly premature end when Newby rose to challenge for a header in the Yaxley box three minutes from time and fell awkwardly.
Given that it was a fine, dry and bright afternoon there seemed little reason, given the late stage of the game, why play couldn’t have been suspended and resumed in due course but Mr Avent decided he couldn’t continue and the game was halted, with both sides having to return on Tuesday.
