Report

Wood progressed to the league cup semi finals following a hard fought win in a tense and, sometimes, exciting quarter final at Grand Drive.

Wood welcomed back captain Sam Mead to the fold as a decent sized crowd settled down to watch.

The opening twenty minutes saw few chances with both sides lacking any real quality in the final third and defences clearly on top. The visitors had certainly started better than in the previous week's league game at Wibbandune and they took the lead on 21 minutes. Joe mead's free kick from the left was never properly cleared and Matt Tanton eluded two tackles on the edge of the area and managed to get what looked like a tame shot away. However, Cupit in the Vale goal may have been unsighted and the ball crept in off his left hand upright. Campos cleared a weak effort off the line soon after and Burnett saved easily from Hickford before the visitors extended their lead in bizarre fashion on 29 minutes. Jimmy Davies did well on the left. His cross came off the vale keeper and a defender before striking an unknowing Mario Embalo and rebounding into the net for his 26^th league and cup goal of the season. Wood were dealing with vale's more direct play quite well with Phil Frodsham and Sam Mead doing well in the air against some powerful opponents. A fine move on 40 minutes saw great link play from Davies and Gregson and Embalo curled a delightful shot inches wide with Cupit stranded. 2-0 at half time; Vale were wasteful following some good approach play.

Burnett produced a superb tip over on 50 minutes to deny Adou but Vale were back in it a minute later when they failed to clear their lines following a hopeful cross and Moulds prodded the ball home from 4 yards. This gave fresh impetus to Vale who sensed that Wood were reeling. Burnett oushed a superb Moulds 30 yard drive around the post and he tipped the resulting corner over from under his bar. Vale skipper, Mosley, was booked for a late challenge on Sam Mead and a good Vale move ended with Campos shooting weakly at Burnett who was now going to take some beating. Embalo shot high and wide but Wood were now on a more level footing following a 15 minute surge by the home side. Tanton produced a delicious cross but there were no takers and Ryan Hughes clever 30 yard volley faded inches wide with the keeper stranded. Gregson had a shot blocked and Davies was booked for his comments to the referee. He was immediately substituted and replaced by Cornell McKoy. Waters was booked for hacking down Embalo having been put in on goal and Vale spurned a couple of chances near the end before Smart was booked for a similar incident involving Embalo.

This was a gutsy Wood performance where they did equally well whether in possession of the ball or not. Vale contributed to the occasion as well to be fair and it was nice to see some old friends following a “late” stay in the bar after the game (again).