Stansted 1 Mildenhall Town 0

Buildbase FA Vase 2nd Round

Saturday 2nd November

Report & Photo by Matt North

Ryan Ramsey scored the only goal of the game  as  Stansted  reached  the 3rd Round of the FA Vase.  The goal scored deep into first half stoppage time was  the difference on a wet, slippery  Hargrave  Park.  Mildenhall  did their best to score but just couldn’t find the back of the net  whilst the  Airportmen  put in a good performance and it was a well deserved victory for them. 

The  opening 15 minutes of the game was quiet chances wise and  neither side  were  much  threat  in front  of goal.  It was quite an even half  but  no attempts from either side.  The first real opportunity of the match fell  to the away side  on 16 minutes  as the ball came to Matt Green on the edge of the box. However, his first time effort was blasted off target  and  little threat to keeper George Marsh. 

It wasn’t until ten minutes before half  time  that there was  another chance from either side. That was again from  Mildenhall  after they had a set piece delivered in.  The ball fell into the path of Phillip Weavers from close range  where he poke the bell just wide.  The away side maybe should have scored and it was a big chance  for them to go in front.  They were again having the better of the opportunities  but  Quevin  Castro’s was blasted way off target. 

However, despite  Mildenhall  having the better chances in front of goal, Stansted managed to break the deadlock with their first real shot on goal.  In the fourth minute of first half stoppage time, the ball was loose in the  Mildenhall  half and Stansted’s Ryan Ramsey was there to latch onto the ball.  He ran straight  through to opposing penalty area  and in a one-on-one situation with  Jack  Heyhoe, calmly fired home. A very good  finish from Ramsey  and it was one that gave his side the lead. 

That goal was the last act of the first half as Stansted went in at the break a goal to the good.  It was certainly a game a very few chances  with  Mildenhall  doing little trouble from their chances. As for Stansted, they had just the one opportunity which they took and  definitely an unexpected goal to score. 

Just like the first, the second period  yet again involved very little chances wise.  Stansted had the opening chance  of half as  Ryan Ramsey, who  was looking to score his second of the match,  fired  his shot  over.  As for  Mildenhall, their first opportunity of the half was a little closer.  Kaine  Manels  had an effort on the edge of the box which was deflected. Although it was  a little awkward for Marsh, he gathered the ball in the end. 

Seven minutes later, the away side came close again this time through substitute Jake  Brame. His first effort was over however and it was potentially a big chance missed. As for the  Airportmen, they had an opportunity four minutes later.  Jack Mitchell made a great run towards the box but his effort was low and easily caught by the keeper. 

Up the other end an  Mildenhall  were yet again trying to chase an equaliser.  After George Marsh  came out of goal to punch the ball away, it soon came to  Ben Nolan who headed inches over. Many people were thinking the ball went into the  net however  it was over.  Three minutes from time, the away side came close again as  a deflected shot on the edge of the box was almost spilt by Marsh. However, he got hold of the ball in the end. 

That was the final chance of the match as Stansted held on for a slim 1-0 victory.  Despite the nervy end to the game, the  Airportmen  staved off  Mildenhall. Ryan Ramsey’s great finish was the difference in the end  and the result was definitely deserved.  Stansted are now the only Essex Senior League side left in the FA Vase after both Walthamstow and Saffron Walden bowed out of the competition.  The  Airportmen  will now have their eyes on Monday’s third round draw. 

Stansted:  1. George Marsh, 2. Adam Fowles, 3. Louis Monk, 4.  Sam West, 5. Joe Clark, 6. Paul Clayton (Capt), 7. Dan  Cheema  ( 12. John Clarke), 8. Mo Carvalho, 9. Jack Mitchell, 10. Ryan Ramsey, 11. Connor Hammond (13. Jack West).

Scorers –   Ryan Ramsey (45+4′) .

Mildenhall  Town:  1.  Jack  Hayhoe, 2. Matt Green, 3. Joe  Asensi, 4. Luke Butcher, 5. Phillip Weavers, 14. Ben Nolan (Capt), 15. Ryan  Yallop  ( 20.  Tobiloba  Lawal), 8. Alex Steed, 17. Oliver  Canfer, 10. Kaine  Manels, 21.  Quevin  Castro ( 9. Jake  Brame).