A massive game awaited at Willen Road as Newport Pagnell Town hosted Hamworthy United in the FA Vase semi-final. This game is absolutely massive for both sides as if they win they book their tickets to Wembley.
The game began and you could judge the scale of the game by the way it started. It was a cagey start but it was Hamworthy who had the first decent effort. It came from a free kick and was well saved by the Newport Pagnell goalkeeper Conway. Mo Ahmed put the swans ahead after some nice work but a muddle up between the Hamworthy goalkeeper and defender meant the ball fell to Mo Ahmed who rolled the ball into the empty net scoring a colossal goal. Newport Pagneel looked to hold out until half time and they did. The swans went in at half time 1-0 up. The second half was fairly even. Both teams had decent chances but none were converted until later in the half. Newport Pagnell were dominating but an unexpected setback came when Hamworthy equalised. It was a well taken goal and it was struck into the back of the net by the Hamworthy forward who chipped Conway to level things up. This swung the play a bit but chances still came for Newport Pagnell. At full time it was 1-1 so the tie went to penalties.
Hamworthy were to take first and they scored but this was cut out by Watkinson of Newport Pagnell putting his away too. Hamworthy scored their next penalty but the goalkeeper then saved the Newport Pagnell goalkeeper meaning Hamworthy have the advantage. Hamworthy then missed their next penalty and Newport Pagnell scored meaning it was even again. Both teams scored their 4th penalty making it 3-3. The next penalties for both side were scored meaning it was level after 5 penalties meaning sudden death. The first penalty of sudden death was missed by both sides meaning it was still 5-5. Hamworthy then missed their 7th penalty leaving James Sage to step up for Newport Pagnell. He had the weight of Wembley on his shoulders and he prevailed smashing it past the goalkeeper sending Newport Pagnell Town to Wembley. Major celebrations followed, there was a pitch invasion and all of Non-League were buzzing for the Swans on this massive achievement. They will face Littlehampton in the final.
Photo courtesy of Newport Pagnell Town twitter.
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