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Monday 15 September 2014

Heathens Ascend From The Depths To Claim Replay - Flackwell Heath vs. Wantage Town

Wilks Park in autumn
Cup season is well underway and the national cup rounds are coming thick and fast. My latest cup match was the FA Cup first qualifying round match between Flackwell Heath and Wantage Town. Flackwell Heath play in the Hellenic League Premier Division and until last season Wantage Town also played in the same division. They won the league title for the second time in four seasons to gain promotion to the Southern League South and West Division. They had made an inconsistent start to life at the higher level winning seven points from their opening eight games. Flackwell Heath had only lost one game all season, against Bracknell Town in the Floodlit Cup the previous Tuesday. Flackwell had already beaten a team from Wantage's division - North Leigh - in the previous round. Wantage also played a team from their opponents league when they defeated Kidlington.

Kick off at Wilks Park
Wantage have an early let off as the defence miss judges a long ball forward but the forward rushes the chance and puts the ball over the bar. The visitors defence don't learn their lesson as they are caught out again and the keeper this time has to pull off a good save with his feet. Wantage have their first chance when the forward is played in but the Flackwell keeper is alert to the danger. Wantage are finally made to pay for not judging the long ball shortly afterwards. The defender heads past his own keeper following another long ball forward. Flackwell Heath now enjoy a good spell and the winger gets to the byline but lashes the ball in to the side netting. The forward gets to the byline again and this time able to find someone. The Wantage keeper makes another good save with his feet to keep the difference to one goal. Right before half time. Wantage equalise to punish the home side for not taking their chances.     

A first half Flackwell corner
Flackwell come out all guns blazing and an early chance is blocked on the line by the Wantage defence. A second effort soon afterwards is beaten away by the keeper. Flackwell create a number of half chances but fail to retake the lead. The sucker punch isn't long in coming. Wantage attack and the the ball lands at the feet of the forward who slots in from just inside the area. The away team then take a two goal lead as the striker knocks the ball in after the initial shot hits the post. Flackwell respond almost immediately. The ball is headed back to the midfielder on the edge of the area and he powers the ball home. Flackwell are well on top and they create yet more chances but still remain behind. They eventually claim a deserved equaliser as a free kick from wide is headed in. Wantage are still well in the game and a cross come shot flashes past the post. The Wantage keeper makes one final great save as he is able to tip the ball over the bar following a rasping effort from the edge of the area.

Wantage attack in the first half
There is no station in Flackwell Heath and the nearest station is High Wycombe. Trains to High Wycombe depart from Marylebone on a regular basis and the quick trains take twenty five minutes. You can take either the 35 or 36 to Flackwell Heath from the bus station with this journey also taking twenty five minutes. There are two buses an hour. Right next to the bus stop in the centre of the village is The Cherry Tree which has Sky and BT Sports and is ideally located. A short walk past the entrance to the ground is The Stag which is more of a gastro pub but the garden provides incredible views of the Buckinghamshire countryside. The clubhouse has a couple of ales from the Rebellion Brewery and also had Sky Sports. If you have a little bit of time while waiting for your train in High Wycombe then I fully recommend visiting The Bootlegger opposite the station, which has literally hundreds of bottles of beer on offer.



Headed clearance in front of the changing rooms and tea hut



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