VCD Athletic 1 v 0 Broxbourne

FA Vase Fourth Round

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VCD Athletic reached the money-spinning fifth round of the FA Vase thanks to a smart-thinking penny from heaven.

Danny Penny's quickly-taken 75th minute free-kick caught Broxbourne Borough asleep, booked his side's place in the last 16 of the competition and earned the club a winner's cheque for £1,500.

But the home fans evening of celebration could have been dampened had Borough's Uzo Opara not blasted an injury-time penalty over the bar.

However, VCD were worthy winners and now face a trip to North West Counties Division One side Cammell Laird of Merseyside on February 11.

VCD boss Martin Ford said: "The draw could have been kinder for us but at this stage of the competition you're not going to play any weak sides.

"We were looking for a home draw or, if we had to go away, we would go up for the weekend, enjoy it and give it our best shot.

"As you get closer to the finishing line you get a bit greedy and want everything to fall into place your way.

"Cammell are a tough side, they won their division by 19 points last season and are favourites to win it this time round.

"We shall try and get them watched and then prepare for the 11th."

With such a vast reward for the winner of Saturday's match it was always going to be a full-bloodied affair and it was not for the faint of heart.

For this reason it was vital Penny, VCD's engine room, was fit to play but it was a close decision.

Ford said: "Danny had just had 12 stitches removed from above his eye and I did not think he would make it.

"But he wanted to play and after we had padded him up I was happy for him to do so. He is a big player for us."

VCD enjoyed the early exchanges with Lee Coburn, Mark Greatorex and Stuart Abbott all pulling the strings.

They should have taken the lead on 16 minutes but Coburn missed his kick from six yards with the goal gaping.

Moments later Greatorex showed great skill to fire in a volley on the turn from 20 yards only to be denied by Will Viner's one-handed save.

Broxbourne's first chance fell to Emil Aitken who turned well six yards out but he slipped at the vital moment.

However, the chance spurred the visitors on and VCD's Grant Wallace had to be alert to save Aitken's snap shot at the foot of the post.

But it was an ultimately frustrating first-half for Broxbourne thanks in no small part to a skipper's performance from Paul Foley at the heart of the VCD defence.

Broxbourne started the second half in determined fashion but VCD almost took the lead when Ashley Probets' deep cross landed in the six yard box where Foley was within a whisker of stabbing home.

Then the home fans had their hearts in their mouths when Aitken's deft flick released Lee Newman one-on-one with VCD stopper Grant Wallace.

But, showing why he is getting plaudits game after game, Wallace was off his line in a flash to block the danger and he did the same in identical fashion just moments later to deny the same attacker.

Then the match fell into controversy Foley's heavy challenge on Okpako Blessing in the centre circle went unpunished and VCD substitute Steve Hogg took up possession, only to be fouled himself on the edge of Broxbourne's penalty area.

While the visitors argued with the referee, Penny took full advantage and curled his free-kick past Viner for 1-0 leading to louder remonstrations from both Broxbourne players and bench.

The next chance fell to Coburn but the striker scuffed his shot wide.

With seconds left Broxbourne won a corner and from it the referee adjudged Foley to have shoved an opponent and he immediatley pointed to the spot.

Up-stepped Opara to blast the kick over the bar and the ball was still on its way to the moon when the referee blew the final whistle.

MATCH FACTS: VCD Athletic: Wallace, 8; Hunt, 6; C Probets, 6; Foley, 8; Driscoll, 7; Coburn, 6 (Bennett, 85); Abbott, 7; Brown, 6 (Hogg, 45, 6); Greatorex, 7; Penny, 8; A Probets, 7.

SUBS NOT USED: Dimmock; Whitehouse; Owen.