FA Vase final: Newport Pagnell Town romp to victory at Wembley

NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN 3-0 LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN

Barnes 19, Shepherd 54, 63 (pen)

Newport Pagnell Town finally found Littlehampton Town’s Tipping Point – all thanks to namesake host Ben Shepherd.

The midfield maestro netted two second-half goals to follow Kieran Barnes’ first-half blockbuster to help his side to Buildbase FA Vase glory at Wembley Stadium at the expense of Littlehampton Town.

It was no more than the Green Army deserved for a polished display in stifling the free-scoring Southern Combination champions, who had scored over 130 goals in the league alone this year.

And at the other end they were ruthless, giving their 7,000 travelling fans plenty to cheer in the Spring sunshine.

For Littlehampton, it proved a tough day, especially after player/boss George Gaskin was stretchered off with what looked like a serious head injury just before half time.

Arguably, they started the stronger with Lucas Pattenden curling an effort just high of Martin Conway’s goal, but Newport Pagnell soon found their feet and conjured up the first big chance of the match, Danny Webb given the freedom of the right flank to cut inside and fire an angled effort on target but Littlehampton keeper James Binfield, although, wrong-footed, did well to palm it away for a corner.

Only an excellent cover tackle from Littlehampton’s Lewis Jenkins in denying Jake Watkinson a shooting chance kept the teams on level terms but only until the 19^th minute with one of the finest goals you’ll see at Wembley this year.

Shepherd’s deep corner was only half-cleared by Jordan Clark to the left channel 25 yards out where Kieran Barnes let fly with a stunning volley which beat Binfield on route to the top corner – his 12^th goal of the season.

THAT IS SPECTACULAR! 🎯

Kieran Barnes with a moment he'll never forget as he puts Newport Pagnell into the lead at Wembley with a stunning effort outside the area! 🤩 #FAVase #FAVaseFinal pic.twitter.com/D41apk8T1C

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 22, 2022

Littlehampton dug deep in response with wide man Pattenden and 59-goal striker Joe Benn the main source of threat, but Newport Pagnell were organised in defence and looked comfortable – centre-backs Jordan Wright and Alfie Powell colossal.

Gaskin’s departure, following an innocuous clash with Mo Ahmed, clearly hurt the Marigolds and Newport went for the jugular. They should have doubled their lead five minutes into the second half. Another corner from Shepherd found captain Wright unmarked eight yards out but his powerful header was somehow tipped over the bar by Binfield

But, three minutes later, they got the second goal they craved. Webb worked his way into the box from the right, cut back for Watkinson, his miskick led to Jenkins kicking the ball off his own goalkeeper Binfield into the path of Shepherd, who fired home from eight yards out.

Littlehampton boss Mitch Hand made a double substitution to spark a late surge and almost got an immediate response when Dion Jarvis’ cutback into the box wasn’t cleared by the Newport defence and Benn rifled the rebound against the base of the post.

But the tie was all but put to bed on 62 minutes when Watkinson was put clear with two defenders to beat, he twisted inside Jenkins before being taken out from behind by the Littlehampton defender – Shepherd sending Binfield the wrong way from the penalty spot.

Credit to Littlehampton, they kept going to the end – Shay Wiggans heading just wide of the near post from Jenkins’ cross, while Webb’s shot on the turn suffered the same fate, but Newport’s resilience never wilted.

LITTLEHAMPTON (3-1-4-2): Binfield 7; Wiggans 6, Jenkins 6, Clark 6; Layton 6 (Harris 58, 6); Pattenden 7, Humphreys 6 (Herbert 58, 6), Biggs 6, Jarvis 6; Benn 7, Gaskin 6 (Capon 45, 6). Subs not used: Duncan, Garnham, Peake, Packer.

NEWPORT PAGNELL TOWN (4-2-3-1): Conway 6; Markey 7, Wright 9 (Pryke 73, 7), Powell 8, Sage 7; Smail, 7 Barnes 8 (Ford 68, 6); Webb 7, Ahmed 8, Shepherd 9; Watkinson 7 (Burnside 68, 6). Subs not used: Goodman, Newman, Strong, Lyon.

Ref: Samuel Barrott

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