Birstall United V Dunkirk (FA Vase)

​Birstall United were looking for a result yesterday to get their season back on track following a challenging run of form in division one. The Leicester side started the season well and were unbeaten from their first three matches under new manager Paul Pallett. It’s been difficult since then with fifteen goals conceded and three consecutive losses going into yesterday to leave them in 17th.   

It’s been a similar story for Dunkirk who have endured a tough start in UCL Division One under new manager Paul Rockley. The main positive for the visitors was being competitive in their six matches so far and only conceding eleven goals going into yesterday. Despite being in the bottom three with two points there were reasons for encouragement.

The atmosphere around Meadow Lane prior to kick off was friendly and relaxed with both sets of supporters looking forward to the match. It’s a nice set up at the ground with good facilities for the level and it felt welcoming yesterday. It’s also got a bit of character about it and the clubhouse was well presented and included references to the club’s history.   

It’s well worth a visit for groundhoppers throughout the midlands and especially the Leicester area. Supporters can get the 127 bus from St Maragaret’s bus station to Shepshed and get off at the Greengate Lane stop. From there it’s a fifteen-minute walk to the ground. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Birstall included Charlie Doherty starting in goal and Reif Armstrong captaining the team from left back. The formation looked like a 4-3-3 with Aaron Preston playing up front and being supported by Evan Mansfield and Jackson Parkin.

There were two changes from the team that started against Coton Green in mid-week with Alistair Tierney coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside Owen Dewing.

Dunkirk’s starting line-up featured Charlie English starting in goal and Lewis Wilcox captaining the team from central defence. The formation looked like an attacking 4-1-3-2 with a front two of Kyle Stovell and Max Taylor being supported by the likes of James Rafferty in midfield.

There were three changes from the team that started against Pinxton in mid-week with Darragh Walsh coming into the team and playing in central defence alongside Lewis Wilcox. 

​First Half

The visitors started the match well and settled into it in the early stages. The Boatmen were positive and committed a lot of players forward in search of the opening goal to get a foothold in the match.

They were duly rewarded when a mistake at the back was capitalised on which set up Kyle Stovell in the box who finished well into the top left corner to make it 1-0 in the 10th minute. It was a clinical attacking move from the visitors but a disappointing goal to concede from a Birstall perspective who were a bit stretched defensively.

​Lewis Wilcox impressed at the back for the visitors and was reading the game well which helped them settle into the match. He was brilliant yesterday and was constantly heading the ball away to take the pressure off Dunkirk.

They can also create chances on the ball and did not look like a side near the bottom of UCL Division One in this match.  

Birstall gradually grew into the match as the first half went on with the chances in front of goal being limited in the opening twenty minutes. The best chance came in the 11th minute when Jackson Parkin capitalised on a second ball in the box that was spilled by Charlie English before firing wide of the right-hand post.

Alistair Tierney impressed at the back for Birstall United and helped them settle into the match. He was pro-active at the back and made a lot of clearances and headers away which helped the hosts get a foothold. Another player who helped the Leicester side grow into the game was Aaron Preston who stood out in the first half with his hold up play and how he bought players into the game.

Momentum can have a tangible impact in non-league football and the hosts got off to a nervy start early on before settling in the middle of the first half. This was understandable coming off a few tough results which included a 4-0 loss to Coton Green. The visitors would have had a bit more confidence following their 1-1 draw with Pinxton in mid-week, and it showed in the opening stages.

Birstall found a huge equaliser in the 37th minute to get back into the match. It was a moment of genuine quality on the ball with Ryan Seal playing a composed through ball that found Jackson Parkin on the right-hand side who went through one on one with Charlie English. He produced a brilliant finish into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1.     

Dunkirk had a guilt edged chance to re-take the lead straight after the equaliser with Kyle Stovell getting into a promising position in the box before having his effort well saved by Charlie Doherty in the Birstall goal. It was a crucial moment in the match a few minutes before half time.

Second Half

The pattern of the second half was similar to the first with Dunkirk getting off to a positive start and Birstall gradually growing into it. A free kick from Corey Newman was tipped over the bar by Charlie Doherty and the visitors were threatening the Birstall goal. There were a lot of runs off the shoulder from Dunkirk and playing two up front worked well and stopped them playing too deep.

Paul Pallett made some good substitutions on the hour mark and bought on Plamedi Kambulu to shore up the midfield and Sheunesu Kanonda to offer an attacking threat on the wings. Both players impressed throughout the second half and helped Birstall build some momentum in front of goal.

The chances in the second half were few and far between for both sides but they were both going for it in the final third. It was just that final ball and composure in the box that was missing but the effort was there from both teams.

Charlie Doherty stood out in the second half for Birstall and made some brilliant claims of the ball. He came out of goal at the right times to get the ball and stopped promising Dunkirk attacks which made a difference.

The best chance for Birstall to win it came in the final few minutes when a good ball into the box from the right-hand side found substitute Paul Pallett at the back post. He had a good chance to score but fired wide which resulted in the match going to penalties.

The opening penalties by both teams were saved to start the shootout. Both keepers were looking to step up and make the decisive saves and it made for an entertaining penalty shootout. Birstall were 2-1 up at one stage before Owen Dewing and Billy Tebbatt put their efforts wide to give Dunkirk the chance to win it which they duly took.

Full Time

It was a tough day at the office for Birstall who competed well with Dunkirk throughout the match. They had to show a lot of fight and resiliency to get to the penalty shootout which is the main positive for the Leicester side yesterday. There are players to build around such as Charlie Doherty, Alistair Tierney and Aaron Preston who all impressed in this match.

It’s a huge win for the visitors and should give them a lot of confidence for the months ahead. There’s signs of a good team being built under Paul Rockley and they impressed yesterday against Birstall. Kane Bartholomew played well at left-back and went a bit under the radar for the Boatmen. He was good at the back all game and took his penalty kick well in the shootout.

It was an entertaining match at Meadow Lane yesterday with the format of the FA Vase working well to set up a tense second half and penalty shootout.

FT score: Birstall United 1-1 Dunkirk (Dunkirk win 3-2 on penalties)

Man of the match: Lewis Wilcox (Dunkirk)  

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League