Clegg back to fire reds into semis

Vale Rec 1, Sylvans 2

FIERY temperaments and debate overshadowed the football as the passion of the FA Cup spilled over at the Corbet Field last night. Sylvans deservedly booked their semi-final place thanks to a brace from Neil Clegg on his return from suspension, but the majority of talking points were about what went on off the ball rather than on it.

Vale Rec were certainly unimpressed with the officials who failed to stamp their authority on the game. Even though Peter Davison issued four yellow cards and one red on the night, it should have been more.

Sylvans started much the brighter with flying winger Matt Le Cras posing a big threat to the hosts with his pace and trickery down the left. He was at the centre of most attacks.

The only real save Matt Oliver had to make in the Sylvans goal came after quarter of an hour and he did well to close down Gareth Holden at the end of a quick break.

The westerners finally made their possession tell 11min. before the break with Matt Drillot doing excellent work on the left before delivering an inviting cross that Clegg met at the near post and his glancing header was a peach.

It was after the opening goal that tempers began to flare and in an eight-minute period three players were booked for cynical challenges. There were also several cases of handbags at six paces and a couple of bouts of wrestling.

The sensible money was on someone walking in the second half and the dismissal came along with Sylvans' second goal just after the hour.

One had to feel for Shaun Robert because he was certainly fouled in the build up to Clegg's decisive strike as Rec tried to deal with Steve Brehaut's long ball. But play continued and it allowed the reds' top scorer to take his tally to 19 for the season.

Understandably aggrieved, Robert's protests went too far and he saw red.

Sylvans had further chances to make the game safe, particularly when Jody Bisson came out of his area and headed straight to Wallbridge. His lob, though, came back off the bar and Clegg's attempt from the rebound was saved brilliantly.

Brent Blondel's injury-time tap in made it an interesting last few seconds but it proved a mere consolation.

Chris Hamon admitted his side's season is now over but praised their efforts on the night, particularly young right back Ross Elliott who made his first start.

'He did really well and was not intimidated at all,' said Hamon. 'We worked very hard on a heavy pitch and I was pleased with that, but perhaps we were not patient enough in attack.

His Sylvans counterpart Joel Avery also felt the officials were not strong enough but he was more sympathetic and is now looking forward to the last-four clash with North.