Emirates FA Cup 2021/22 First Qualifying Round

Worksop Town FC v Newport Pagnell Town FC (Saturday 4th September 2021)

Prior to kick-off an impeccably observed minute's silence at The Windsor Foodservice Stadium, home of Worksop Town, noted the passing of Lance Hardy. Lance spent many years at BBC Sport covering World Cups and other major events but started his journalism at The Worksop Trader and had a long affinity with the club, playing a leading role in the club's recent recovery from financial challenges. Programme notes tell the story of long-standing and close relationship between Lance and Worksop Town.

The fourth oldest association football club in the world, founded in 1861, Worksop Town's 'Tigers' roared in the FA Cup in 1955/56; Bert Trautmann's season. A year when my team, Birmingham City, reached the final and lost to Man City and the incapacitated German goalie. The result doesn't change no matter how often I watch the 2018 film 'The Keeper'. Always 3-1. Every time.

In that season Worksop made the third round. Qualifying wins over Brunswick Institute, Beighton Miners Welfare, Bentley Colliery and Corby Town saw The Tigers progress to the first round proper where Skegness Town were dispatched. A pre-Christmas roasting of The Bantams (Bradford City) after a replay saw The Tigers into the third round where the cup run ended with defeat at Swindon Town.

Newport Pagnell's Swans on the other hand were aiming to equal their best FA Cup performance. They reached the second qualifying round in 2008/09 after victories against VT (now Sholing), Cirencester Town and Marlow. The Blues of Fleet Town brought the run to an end, but here were The Swans looking to emulate that 2008/09 achievement.

Tigers v Swans. There's only one way to find out....

The match was played on Worksop Town's high quality 3G surface; a surface permitted in the National League and lower leagues, as well as in all rounds of the FA Cup. 

The Tigers were dealt an early blow with a fifth minute injury to Ben Tomlinson, but this didn't get in the way of their positive, attacking start. A Lewis Gibbons far-post header from a well directed free-kick put Worksop 1-0 ahead after 11 minutes. The Swans piled on the pressure to win a succession of corners and had a few half-chances, but failed to convert. After some high tempo end to end action Worksop took back control as the first half closed and began to boss the game but weren't able to get that all important second goal. Half time 1-0. 

Encouraged by a lively and vocal crowd of 481, The Tigers continued their dominance into the second half and it was no real surprise that they extended their lead. Steven McDonnell converted from the penalty spot on the hour after a foul by the Newport Pagnell goalie. More end to end action and full-on commitment from both sides made for an entertaining second half. The Tigers added a final flourish in the 87th minute with a cracker of a volley from Aaron Sennett-Neilson. 

This was a deserved 3-0 win for The Tigers who definitely earned their stripes in an entertaining match. Despite no shortage of effort, commitment and drive it wasn't to be for The Swans who will need to look to next season to match and maybe beat their previous FA Cup record. 

Best of luck to both clubs for the rest of the season.



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