Selby Town celebrate Craig Muirhead’s opener after just 30 seconds
Selby Town only needed 30 seconds to put themselves on their way to the next round of the FA Vase in the 3-1 win at former manager Leon Sewell’s Westella VIP.
Following on from Craig Muirhead’s opener, Selby captain Dane Mortimer doubled the lead on 11 minutes.
Alex Wood gave Westella some hope with a goal at the start of the second half, but Selby finished strongly and Will Ramsey sealed the Robins’ place in the first round proper.
It was a far of perfect day for Sewell, who was sacked after just nine games in charge of Selby in 2011.
His hopes of getting one over his old club began to evaporate from the first few touches as Selby began in a similar manner to the 12-0 demolition of Askern in the last round.
Although they did give up like Askern, Westella pressed the self-destruct button and gave themselves a mountain to climb. Chris Banks’ pass cut Westella open and Muirhead slid the ball home as goalkeeper Nathan Otley advanced.
More poor defending followed with star man Danny Bunch providing the ball for Muirhead to cross towards the back-post to give Mortimer the opportunity to score.
Muirhead fires Selby ahead
Dane Mortimer watches as the ball sails home
Former Selby boss Leon Sewell described the first half as the worst since he became manager of Westella
Westella defender James Atkinson can’t bear to watch
Action from Westella 1-3 Selby Town in the FA Vase
Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo (left) and assistant Bill Gill issue the instructions
Westella almost reduced the deficit before half-time as Chris Spinks watched his free kick come back off the post.
The home side did get back into when Wood was fortunate to score the rebound from his drilled shot which Selby goalkeeper Ciaran Gibson did well to save.
Some nervy moments followed for Selby as Westella had a goal ruled out for offside and James Atkinson headed over when it seemed easier to score.
Eventually Westella tired and Selby dominated the final 25 minutes and a gift of a chance saw Ramsey make no mistake to ensure his side’s passage.
Even with the game wrapped up, Selby could have added more as Ramsey hit the bar and substitute Chris Jackson hit the post.
Westella VIP manager Leon Sewell: “It was very disappointing if I’m honest.
“I’m really not a happy bunny at all. No-one should ever concede in the first 30 seconds so to do so was absolutely ridiculous.
“It was then sloppy to concede again and the first half was terrible. It was the worst 45 minutes I have ever managed with Westella.
“It was way below standards. We gave them too much respect in the first half and we let them play and bully.
“For me, in the second half it was a too big mountain to climb. We did turn up the gears and get a goal, but then to switch off and concede a third is really not good enough.
“If I’m honest it could have been more because they hit the post a couple of times. We weren’t at the races at all.”
Selby Town manager Dave Ricardo: “I’m extremely pleased with the guys.
“We started the game like a house on fire with the two goals. It helped us and at 2-0 up we looked comfortable.
“All credit to Westella who came out for the second half on the front foot. We defended too deeply, but as the half went on our fitness told and we looked the stronger team.”
Westella VIP: Otley, Williamson, Hewitt, Andrew, Atkinson, McLaughlin (Dodson 44), Wood (Sheppard 80), Short (Harrison 80), Petch, Spinks (captain), Coverdale. Subs unused: McFadyen, Alden.
Selby Town: Gibson, Banks (Kelly 61), Stonehouse, Ramsey, Mortimer (captain), Horsman, Forrester, Muirhead, Anderson (Parsons 76), Bunch, Chamberlain (Jackson 67).
Referee: Damian O’Leary
Ref Rating: 6/10 (not brilliant, took far too long to caution or reprimand players and also failed to keep up with play)
Attendance: 73
Man of the match: Danny Bunch (Selby Town)
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