Colliery Welfare has crashed out of the 3rd round of The FA Vase after a very sloppy and staggered 90 minutes that ended 0-0. It left the dreaded penalty shootout to decide the fate of both Ryhope CW and Yorkshire outset, Liversedge FC.
Ryhope made formation changes to the side with Christopher Wallace back in the starting eleven and Kyle Davis selected to pair with Robbie Bird. Ryhope CW have a variety of different suspensions and injuries to deal with over the last few months which allows three from the U21 squad for selection on the first-team bench for the tie against Liversedge.
The first half was very cagey and defensive with both sides having the ball compacted in the midfield. This led to the general feeling that both teams had a very strict gameplan and required to stay stringent for the duration. CW initially had the first half-chance on goal after 14 minutes when Kyle Davis made a very confident run that set Robbie Bird through on goal but could not manage the final delivery. This was pretty much the story of the whole first half with a wide selection of missed opportunities and lack of creativity for both CW and Liversedge. The first 45 ended a very stalemate, 0-0.
The second half was very similar with both sides being very cautious. It took until the 51st minute for CW to have a clear opportunity on goal when James Ellis made a great switch of play that created an opportunity for Paul Braithwaite to swing the ball in that was very nearly converted by Robbie Bird, This was the type of play we were familiar with from CW in previous games and needed more of it for the win!
A few minutes after that came the first controversial refereeing decision when Liversedge centre forward Oliver Fearon was brought down in the box and this was when tensions started to rise from the Liversedge dugout. After this period the game created a few half chances but both sides looked very structured and concise in defence but everyone had the feeling that something was going to break.
After a series of stoppages, arguments, dugout tensions and substitutions, it looked like this cup tie was to head for penalties to find a decider- that it did, the game ended 0-0 after the full ninety.
The full-time whistle went and both sides felt frustrated but competitive in trying to gain a very hard-fought pathway into the 4th round of the FA vase. After some tensions on the pitch that resulted in CW players receiving yellow cards alongside with a sending off a Liversedge defender- We were ready for the shootout!
CW started the penalty shootout the strongest when Robbie Bird and Bradley Hird consecutively converted from the sport to give CW a comfy 2-0 lead. The game was not win just yet. Liversedge managed to level the tie on penalties after James Winter saving two opportunities from the spot. Next up for Ryhope was U21 prospect Luke Wardle, who has a reputation for converting for from the spot. It was to be and CW missed two chances in a row. The lads looked deflated and Liversedge managed to remain calm and slot the winning penalty home to send them into the 4th round.
A cup defeat for CW is hard to take at this time of year. Let’s hope the lads can come out against Seaham Red Star on Tuesday and give us some festive cheer.
Fulltime Score
Ryhope CW 0-0 Liversedge FC
Penalties
Ryhope CW 3-4 Liversedge FC
You can hear the full match reaction from joint manager Chris McCabe, Here…