This is the way to Wembley Joe! Lee Morris runs away after scoring the winner for Shaw Lane Aquaforce in the FA Vase fifth round win over Flackwell
Lee Morris completed the dramatic turnaround with the winner as Shaw Lane Aquaforce reached the quarter-finals of the FA Vase by beating Flackwell Heath 3-2 in Barnsley.
Aquaforce surrendered a 1-0 lead and found themselves heading out until Joe Thornton and Morris pulled them out of the fire with two quick-fire goals in the final 20 minutes.
Ambitious Shaw Lane are now three games away from a Wembley final during their first ever campaign in the competition and they are joined by Tadcaster Albion in Monday’s quarter-finals draw.
It is the first time since Staveley Miners Welfare reached the semi-finals in 2012 that the Toolstation Northern Counties East League have had teams still in the Vase at this stage.
Both Lane and Flackwell struggled on a sandy surface and neither side were able to play to their full potential on a pitch which has received a lot of criticism since a Rugby Union match was played on it in torrential rain.
Hellenic Premier Division promotion-chasers Flackwell and Shaw Lane have similar records in their respective leagues, but Craig Elliott admitted he did not know what to expect from Flackwell and was going to tell his players to go out and play their own game.
It was difficult for both teams and the opening exchanges were fairly tentative until Shaw Lane went in front after just nine minutes.
Man of the match Joe Thornton slips the ball across goal for Matt Thornhill
Thornhill puts Shaw Lane in front with a simple tap-in
Shane Kelsey spotted the run of Thornton, who was the brains behind the replay win in the last round against Walsall Wood, and the former Athersley Rec striker found himself staring down on goal.
The bumper crowd gasped and Thornton unselfishly passed across goal for Matt Thornhill to score at the back-post.
Thornton then almost scored himself when he lobbed the ball over the crossbar.
Flackwell came into the game as the half wore on. Poor defending allowed Ashleigh James to shoot and whilst Ben Gathercole made the save, James’ brother Gavin was on hand to equalise with a simple finish.
The home crowd were silenced once again early in the second half as Ashleigh Smith teed up Dan Burnell and the latter put the away side ahead with a tap-in.
You could hear a pin drop around the Shaw Lane complex and for a long period there was nothing in the game and Elliott’s men appeared to be slipping out of the Vase after such a remarkable run.
Flackwell goalkeeper Robert Bullivant looks heartbroken after Joe Thornton’s free kick nestles in the net
A mis-judged backpass set up the winner, but Lee Morris’ original attempt was saved
Shane Kelsey retrieved the ball and sent a low drive towards goal
Bullivant saved the shot, but Morris scored with the rebound
Morris and Thornton lead the celebrations
However, the long-term watchers of Shaw Lane will know that Elliott’s side don’t give up without a fight.
Anyone who saw them clinch promotion against Knaresborough Town on that dramatic night in April will have had flashbacks as Thornton kickstarted the fightback.
The striker gained free kick duties from Kelsey and made no mistake with a deflected effort from the edge of the box to get the home fans rocking and believing again.
The game appeared to be heading for an epic finish, but just two minutes later, Shaw Lane were in front again.
A mis-judged back-pass sent Morris through and the striker was initially denied as the goalkeeper Robert Bullivant made a great save from the low drive.
The ball dropped nicely for Kelsey and the experienced frontman drilled an effort at the stopper.
Bullivant couldn’t hold the ball and Morris was on hand to smash Aquaforce closer to Wembley with the rebound – sparking wonderful scenes of joy.
It was nervy, but Shaw Lane held on without too much fuss. Gathercole was beaten on one occasion when a Jamie Handscombe overhead kick flashed past his left-hand post, but Flackwell had little to offer in response.
Huge cheers greeted the final whistle and the adventure goes on for Shaw Lane, who continue to do Barnsley and the Northern Counties East League proud.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce manager Craig Elliott:
“We didn’t play well at all and I think the pitch contributed to that, no disrespect to Flackwell.
“We were deservedly 2-1 down and we weren’t playing well or looking like scoring, but two quick-fire goals changed things.
“I’m over the moon because we have grinded out a result today that on the whole wasn’t deserved really. But you take it.
“When we went 3-2 in front I didn’t think we should go for the fourth because the pitch meant that there weren’t many chances. Strikers were finding it difficult to get away from people and I thought set-pieces would decide it.
“It was a matter of seeing it out and I think it was the longest 15 minutes of my life.”
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Gathercole, Stohrer, O’Brien, Foster (Foster 60), Denton, Holt, Istead, Thornhill, Thornton (Darley 91), Morris (Fox 81), Kelsey. Subs unused: Conway, Danville.
Flackwell Heath: Bullivant, Woodward, Taylor, Jarra (Willward 79), Tripp, Blount, Rapley, Sturgess, G James (Handscombe 79), Burnell, A James (Tack 72). Sub unused: Jacobs.
Referee: Tom Nield
Ref Rating: 10/10
Attendance: 282
Man of the match: Joe Thornton (Shaw Lane Aquaforce)
Look out for the full album of match photos on our Facebook page later today.