After Wednesday’s historic 8-0 win in the league on Wednesday, the Stan hoped to make the 1st round proper of the FA Vase for the 1st time in 39 years in what was their 35th tie in the competition. There opponents Padiham, were from the tier above in the North West Counties Premier Division. Due the covid restrictions, this was the Stan’s 1st all ticket & 1st sold out match. There were 3 changes with Leech, Campbell and Paterson replacing Simpson, Hoggins and Wright. Ali Stoddart overtook Joe Wear as the player with the most Stan appearances in the Northern League era.

The Stan were nearly ahead from kick off when they punted the ball forward & a visiting defender head the ball back over the keeper. The ball hit the post & rolled across the goal line but Hammett, in the Padiham goal, just got to the ball before Campbell. In the 3rd minute, Campbell had a header deflected just wide & from the resulting corner Leech headed just wide. The Stan came close again in 7 minutes when Wilson shot just wide & in 15 minutes he shot over. It had mainly been all Stan until a Padiham free kick into the box after 16 minutes was headed clear. In 23 minutes, a long cross to Burns some him stretch but his shot went well wide. 3 minutes later & a Padiham cross was headed in the box but Regan easily caught it.

In 29 minutes, Burns only had the keeper to beat but shot wide. Carr then supplied the advancing Campbell whose diagonal shot in the box was only just caught by the keeper. 4 minutes later, a Stan header from a free kick went wide. The visitors then had a free kick into the box which Leech headed clear followed by 1 at the other end by Carr which went well wide. A poor clearance then nearly let a Padiham forward in. In 38 minutes, Burns header hit the bar then Imray blocked a free kick at the other end. In 44 minutes, Campbell was brought down just outside the box but Wilson’s free kick came to nothing.

As they should have been winning at half time, the Stan started confidently although it was the visitors who saw a free kick go wide after 47 minutes. It was now mainly the Stan but with little end product & the match was now quieter overall. In 54 minutes, Burns, supported by Wilson, got into the box but fell. 4 minutes later & Paterson shot over.

The Stan then refreshed their attack replacing Campbell & Paterson with Wright & Hoggins. In 63 minutes, Burns shot on target but the keeper caught. In 66 minutes, a poor Stan pass back saw Regan have to put the ball out for a corner. There was then a bit of Padiham pressure before Wright broke through but was blocked. Both teams were trying to attack.

In 73 minutes, Padiham were given too much room & Regan had to parry although the follow up shot went wide. In 74 minutes, Hall brought a Padium player down just inside the box for a penalty. It was put away in the left corner, with Regan diving the wrong way, to give the visitors an undeserved lead. 4 minutes later, Hoggins headed wide. In 83 minutes, Wright went down the right, beat a defender, & chipped the ball past the keeper & into the net for a composed finish & 1-1. The Stan threw it away in 85 minutes when Padiam were again given free space to attack & the ball was passed into the box & tapped into the right hand corner of the net. The sun came out but, even with late pressure, the Stan were to end the match miserable. This included, in the 90th minute, a Wright free kick hitting the wall, Hall’s rebound shot going over then Hoggins heading wide.

The Stan were far the better team, and Padiham had very few shots on goal, but the Stan failed to put away their chances especially in the 1st half. The planned trip to Wembley will therefore have to wait until next season.

Team: Regan; Stoddart, Hall, Waters, Leech; Burns, Imray (C), Carr, Wilson, Paterson (Wright); Campbell (Hoggins).

Subs (Not Used): Blackbourne, Bailey, Dixon.

Goals: Wright 83.

Att: 170.

Referee: Matthew Webster.

Kevin Mochrie

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