AFC WULFRUNIANS (Castlecroft Stadium)

FA VASE THIRD ROUND, AFC WULFRUNIANS 2-3 BORROWASH VICTORIA (AET), ATTENDANCE: 120 (h/c).

FA Vase day today and I have to confess this game was not my original choice. I had to seek an alternative when Walsall Wood v Wigan Robin Park bit the dust, but by the end of afternoon I was so glad I headed out to Wolverhampton.

The Wulfs were founded in 2005 and play their games at the rather smart Castlecroft Stadium. This ground has an interesting history as it was built in the 1950's as a training ground for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Castlecroft then changed hands to the Rugby Football Union, who signed a long term lease on the ground in 1991. It was used as a training base and centre of excellence for young rugby players. The match programme states that all but 5 of England's 2003 world cup winning squad at one time or another played at Castlecroft. When the RFU decided to move all it's rugby development to Twickenham, AFC Wulfrunians took over the lease.

AFC Wulfrunians, of the West Midlands Regional League, were taking on Borrowash Victoria, of the East Midlands Counties League, both leagues being at Step 6 of the non-league pyramid. Both teams are having excellent seasons and both are challenging near the top of their respective divisions.

The game was a thrilling encounter which swung one way then the other, but ultimately it was the visitors from Derbyshire who ran out winners. After dominating the opening period, Callum Thompson gave the Vics the lead after 11 minutes. Mike Robertson (27) equalised for the homesters as they finished the half on top.



 Callum Thompson (Blue Shirt, 8) opens the scoring for Borrowash



In a carbon copy of the first half, The Vics dominated the opening of the second half and re-took the lead

through Shane Newton after 51 minutes. The visitors created enough chances to put the game to bed but they let the Wulfs back in and Robertson bagged his second after 73 minutes to equalise once more.

The Wulfs were now on top again and they could have wrapped the game up in normal time but at the end of 90 minutes it was all square.

In the first period of extra time Callum Thompson (94) got his second of the game but this time the Vics held their hosts at bay to seal their place in the next round.

Absolutely top draw entertainment, re-affirming my belief the FA Vase is the best cup competition around