Wholehearted Spenny deserves to make amends

Burgess Hill's dramatic last minute equaliser in their FA Vase match pic Phil Dennett

Wroxham 1

by Chris Francis

How fitting and deserved it was that Spencer Slaughter should come up with the equaliser 10 minutes into 12 minutes of stoppage time on Saturday.

It was Slaughter’s error that enabled Ryman North strugglers Wroxham to break the deadlock late on in what was a largely lack-lustre FA Trophy tie.

Hillians’ management team, players and supporters must have been particularly frustrated and the thought of a long midweek trip to Norwich for the replay would have been less than appealing.

But it was the least they deserved, especially after an improved second-half performance.

Despite being without three centre halves and having to continue playing Sam Fisk alongside Toby Pointing, Hillians persisted with their possession game but failed to create a really worthwhile chance in the first half.

And that was particularly disappointing against a fairly ordinary Wroxham side who at least retained their star centre forward, Paul Cook, whose hold-up play swept them to a Wembley Vase final appearance in 2010, when they lost 6-1 to Whitley Bay.

Hillians looked more the part after the break but still they have shortcomings up front and when they fell behind, things were not looking good. Slaughter was back covering from a home corner and he was robbed by Remy Gordon, who then set up sub Aaron Sanders for a fairly routine finish.

It said much for Hill’s character and that of the 100 per cent Slaughter in particular that they could respond positively although quite where 12 minutes stoppage time was found remains something of a mystery. There was a lengthy delay before Cook went off with a cut head but only Army referee Mr J Connolly will know quite where he found so much time.

Hillians were grateful as from a Darren Budd corner Slaughter powered through to score with a close range header. Slaughter is enjoying a fine season at Ryman level after spending much of his career in the County League, .

It was particularly fitting but afterwards manager Ian Chapman said: “We know it wasn’t good enough today. We were too slow and predictable but I’m pleased we had the desire to get back in it.

“Recently we have been playing well but it’s now time to start getting results.”

Hillians: Mansfield; Watts, Pointing, Fisk, Kay; Gayler, Budd, Slaughter, Kirkwood, Gayler; Curd, Harding. Subs: Miller (Curd, 57), L Harding (Gayler, 72), Armstrong (Kirkwood, 74). Unused sub: Greg Luer.