Two goals in the final 20 minutes salvaged a replay for the Peacocks who drew 2-2 with Wimborne Town in the 1st Qualifying Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy this afternoon (26th October).
It was a far from convincing performance from Town in driving wind and rain, with the hosts the better side for the first hour. Both sides missed chances in the opening 45 minutes, with Matt Wright hitting the post for the Peacocks, but just as the half looked to be ending goalless the Magpies scored a minute into stoppage time when Lloyd Irish could not hold a Curtis Young shot and Sam Bayston fired in the loose ball. The home side then scored their second of the afternoon ten minutes after the break, Burbidge playing Bayston through to tuck past Irish. Town were given a lifeline after 75 minutes when Wright collected Shane White’s pass but was brought down by James Stokoe, Andrew Neal converting the resultant penalty. Town then began to get on top and equalized with ten minutes remaining when Harry Kite steered home Wright’s centre. It still took a late Irish tip over from Sam Davidson’s cross-shot to give his side a second chance in a replay which will take place at the Cygnet Health Care Stadium on Tuesday evening, ko 7.45pm.
Reaction – Head of Football Rob Dray said:” We showed some things that you can’t buy yesterday. Not lying down when not at your best is a great characteristic and we showed our battling qualities to force a replay. We bring Wimborne back to a noisy and hopefully dry and not windy Cygnet Health Care Stadium on Tuesday when we will need to improve all round in order to progress.”