Lewis Ward - Whitehawk FC (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 2
This week, we start with Lewis, making his professional debut for Whitehawk in the FA Cup 3rd round qualifying stage. Whitehawk hosted Chelmsford with a place in the final qualifying stage at stake for the victors and both sides absolutely went for it. Chelmsford went two goals ahead early on but the Hawks battled to back to go ahead 3-2 before Chelmsford levelled shortly before half time. An exciting six goal first half was followed by a quieter two-goal second half, with the Hawks going ahead again to go 4-3 up. However, the drama was not over there. As Chelmsford pushed forward in search of an equaliser, one of the attackers was fouled inside the box and Lewis Ward suddenly had a penalty to save on his professional debut. Against the odds and pressure, Ward did just that, before the Chelmsford taker converted the rebound to send the tie to a replay. 4-4.
A quick turn-around saw the Hawks face up to Chelmsford again for the second time in three days as both sides aimed to make it through the third qualifying round at the second time of asking. Ward started the match as his side went 1-0 down early (again) through Joe Ward. Then, another penalty. A red card for Hawks defender Osei Sankofa and the prospect of a 2-0 deficit loomed. Could Ward save two penalties in two games?
Christian Smith's penalty makes it 2-0 to @OfficialClarets v Whitehawk after 30 minutes. Come on! https://t.co/nDifpA22Cn
— Gary Mixture (@GMixture) October 13, 2014
Okay maybe not, but he did get mighty close. Anyway, Whitehawk went on to lose the game 4-1 and exit the FA Cup for another year. Ward did make a number of brilliant saves in the second half as his team mates tired though, most notably a save best left to be described by the opposition themselves:
86: Michael Cheek is denied by a fine save from Ward. Really decent stop.
— Chelmsford City FC (@OfficialClarets) October 13, 2014
So, despite conceding eight goals in two games, I don't think anyone could deny that Lewis had made a good start to his professional career, saving one penalty and getting very closer to another before making a number of fine saves to keep the scoreline respectable in the replay.
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Jon Henly - Welling United (Vanarama Conference Prem) Appearances: 8
Henly started on the bench as his Welling side hosted Nuneaton Town. A brace from Harry Beautyman and Tyrone Marsh gave the Wings a 4-1 win in a solid performance in the league. The FA Cup draw then followed the match, as Welling drew out Maidstone United with a place in the 1st round proper at stake.
The Wings have been drawn away at @maidstoneunited in the 4th qualifying round of the #FACup
— Welling United FC (@wellingunited) October 13, 2014
Following that great result against Nuneaton, Welling manager Jamie Day confirmed that some players from the first team who
"need minutes and some youngsters from the development squad (would play a part against Tonbridge)."
Luckily for Reading, Henly was one of five first team players who started the match. However, in a rain-sodden affair, Tonbridge Angels came out as 3-1 winners after Welling had missed a first half penalty with the game finely poised at 0-0.
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Stuart Moore - Basingstoke Town (Vanarama Conference South) Appearances: 10
Stuart moved onto ten competitive matches for Basingstoke this season, with his latest coming in this FA cup game against Ebbsfleet United. Coming from a goal down, his side spectacularly won the game through goals from top-scorer Chris Flood and former Ebbsfleet striker Liam Enver-Marum. Stuart was said to have had a fantastic game and made some great saves when 1-0 down. His performance even earned a 'rave' review from opposition player Dean Rance
Can't actually believe how we managed to lose that game, credit goes to their keeper though. Pleased to have got MOTM, move on to next Sat.
— Dean Rance (@DeanoRance) October 11, 2014
Basingstoke have drawn Harrow Borough with a place in the 1st Round Proper at stake and here's to hoping Stuart is still 'buzzing' after Saturday's game..
Still buzzing after yesterday's game! ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/15g7efe8tz
— Stu Moore (@StuMooreIOW) October 12, 2014
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Royston Drenthe - Sheffield Wednesday (SkyBet Championship) Appearances: 4
No fixture this week.