WHAT a game! Eight goals, a missed penalty, a controversial goal after a foul on the keeper, a man sent off and a last minute equaliser made the FA Vase first round clash on Saturday a thriller. And fans had it all to look forward to again after the draw forced a replay.
Devizes manager Mark Godley said that it was one of the most exciting games of football that he has ever been involved in.
"Any footballer is not likely to experience many games like this one in their careers. The match was a credit to Screwfix football, he said."
Surprisingly there was only one goal in the first half when a Willand corner was blown into the goal by the wind on 20 minutes.
Devizes midfielder Gary Campbell had a long-range effort saved by the keeper on 30 minutes in the away team's best chance
Devizes took only five minutes of the second half to even the scores. Defender Brian Kayll played a short free kick to winger Nick Mooney who unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards that whistled into the top corner. The visitors took the advantage on 58 minutes when midfielder Steve Sartin headed in Brad Newman's cross.
On 65 minutes Willand were down a man after their midfielder was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Then Willand equalised in controversial fashion. Keeper Andy King had the ball in two hands, he went to take a long kick when the home striker kicked the ball out of his hands and into the net.
Ten men Willand stepped up a gear and took the lead in the 89th minute when King pushed a shot onto the bar but the rebound was volleyed in.
With almost the last kick of normal time Devizes clawed their way back into the game when striker Dave Macey put Simon Drewitt through on goal to finish from close range.
In extra time Willand again took the lead on 100 minutes when their striker headed in a long ball.
Devizes equalised just three minutes later when Newman picked the ball up near the half way line and drove it into the back of the net with a finish that gave the keeper no chance.
To add more drama to the game Devizes were awarded a penalty late in the second period of extra time when Campbell was brought down in the area. Drewitt hit the ball hard but the home keeper got a hand to it to push it round the post to force a replay.
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