Congleton Town 4
Pinchbeck United 0
The FA Vase adventure is over for Pinchbeck United but manager Lewis Thorogood hopes it will spur them on to bigger things.
The Knights had never won a game in an FA competition this year, but put five wins together to reach the last 32 of the Vase.
Saturday’s fourth round trip to Congleton Town proved a step too far though as the Cheshire side ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
It was the second time that the home side had reached this stage of the competition and the extra experience showed on the day.
The Knights competed and had several half chances in the first half, going closest when Dan Worthington released Elliot Foster who lofted the ball past the keeper but also the wrong side of the post.
Andre Williams looked to be one-on-one at one point, but the defender recovered to block his effort.
Congleton always looked dangerous going forward though and took the lead five minutes before the break, Shakeel Jones-Griffiths finishing off a fine move.
The home side are in fine form and looking for promotion from the North West Counties League and they showed why with three goals in seven minutes early in the second half which sealed their passage into the last 16 and just three wins from Wembley.
Firstly on 55 minutes a cross from the right was powered home by George Sankey.
Only brilliant defending by Ben Robson prevented it being 2-0 sooner as he made a goal-scoring tackle.
The Bears though did score from the resulting corner through Ryan Read poking home in the area.
On 62 minutes it was 4-0 and game over, Williams capitalising on a mistake at the back and he squared for Tom Pope to score for Congleton who are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season.
The Pinchbeck heads didn’t drop and they continued to look for a consolation, only a fine save denying and Spencer Weir-Daley shooting straight at the keeper when well placed.
But Congleton dominated the second period and will play Wulfrunians in the quarter finals, bringing to an end Pinchbeck’s fine run in a competition they’d previously never won a game in before.
Manager Lewis Thorogood said: “It was a great experience of six rounds and new environments for both the club and this young group of players.
“The achievement has not only made memories but also benefits; earning the right to enter the competition later next season and the exposure the club has received on a local and national scale.
“It’s a taste of the future for this club and what we are all aiming to achieve.
“I’m proud of all my players, staff and volunteers behind the scenes.
“It’s time at Pinchbeck United to kick on and take us to the next stage.”
Chairman Gary Coomes added: “I’m proud of what my team has achieved. Everyone has to lose and I will try hard not to be so miserable when we do.
“However that will never detract from what my team did this year.”
Pinchbeck were due to be back in United Counties League Premier Division North action hosting AFC Mansfield at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Wednesday (result not known at time of going to press) before being back at home on Saturday when they face third-placed Quorn in a 3pm kick off.
The club had put an offer on that anyone attending the game against Mansfield received half price admission for the Quorn game.
Ahead of the game the club announced they’d signed former Spalding United defender Scott Floyd on duel registration forms from Pitching In Northern Premier League side Corby Town.
He’d come through the ranks at The Tulips including the U21s side
Knights: Smith, Simpson (Vieira), Robson, Spafford, Worthington, Sheriff, Foster, Peasgood (Johnson), Weir-Daley, Burdass, Williams (Melson). Subs not used: Stevens, Burdett, Wilkinson.
Attendance: 388.
