Ten years ago – Barwell away in the Vase

Ten years ago today on Saturday 27th March 2010, Whitley were involved in one of their most dramatic ever FA Vase ties. Away to Leicestershire side Barwell in the semi final 1st leg, they were losing 3-1 with just two minutes to go and facing a real battle in the second leg if they were to stay on course for a second Wembley appearance. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and an unfit Paul Chow who was not expected to play but was brought on as a late substitute, became the hero of the day and in an incredible finale, he scored twice to leave the tie level at 3-3 with everything to play for in the second leg a week later.

Here are Paul’s memories of that amazing day. “I was injured earlier in the month in a victory over Newcastle Reserves. I tweaked knee ligaments and hadn’t done any training at all in lead up to the game. I think I missed maybe 4/5 games in the lead up. On the evening before the game we were training and I was basically used as a cone as I couldn’t move a great deal. I could just about run in straight lines but couldn’t twist or turn. Pre match I was named as a sub and I remember physio Glen Martin saying that there’s no way Chow will be playing any part. I along with the team always felt confident no matter who we were playing. Even though it was a Vase semi final we always trusted our ability and this was no different. I remember Belly scored the opening goal. They hit back to lead 2-1 and Coulson got badly injured. It turned out he would miss the next 12 months of football. Even at half time I was told in no uncertain terms by Glen not to warm up. So instead of having a kick about with the subs I went into the changing rooms so I wasn’t tempted. 20 or so minutes to go Chan tells me to warm up. I think I jogged down the touch line and back at half pace and then he said I’m going on, much to my surprise. Not long after Barwell scored a third. The second trip to Wembley was slipping away. Entering the final minute or so of normal time I remember Adam Johnston skinning the full back and putting a great cross in. I attacked it and gave the goalkeeper no chance with the header. 3-2 was a much better result to take back to Hillheads. In stoppage time Belly had a shot from the edge of the box, the keeper spilled it and I reacted first to stab it home. 3-1 to 3-3 in no time at all. Great scenes afterwards! We were celebrating after the game, then the management team just reminded us that we still had a job to do next week. If we thought the first game was a roller coaster then the second leg had just as many twists and turns.”

Relive the game through the match report taken from the club archives and the match photos