Phoenix Sport
John Chubb
It was an afternoon that will live long in the memories of all associated with Essex Senior League football club Great Wakering Rovers.
1-0 down after the first leg of their FA Vase semi-final at Worcester City the previous Saturday, they hosted the favourites to win the competition in the second leg in front of a capacity crowd at their Burroughs Park ground.
But a dogged performance saw Rovers won 2-1 on the day, and they even had two goals disallowed.
That meant that, with the tie having finished 2-2 on aggregate, it was decided on penalties and Rovers won the shootout 5-4, resulting in joyous scenes.
Marcus Bowers’ men will now face Romford in and all-Essex final at Wembley on Saturday May 12th, so the county will have a Vase-winning side for the first time in four decades, Stansted being the last Essex winners in 1984.
In our featured matches, Billericay Town kept up their hopes of making the Isthmian Premier League play-offs with a 2-1 over Cheshunt at New Lodge, and a local derby in the Isthmian North saw Basildon United beaten 2-1 at home by Bowers & Pitsea.
In other news, 7-1 joint favourite I Am Maximus was the winner of the 2024 Grand National, whilst in Rugby Union Scotland were comprehensively beaten by England in the Women’s Six Nations, the Red Roses scoring 46 points without reply.
