Hartpury bow out of FA Vase after goalless draw with Whitstable Town

Hartpury were unable to overturn the first leg deficit, as they bowed out of the FA Vase – after drawing 0-0 with Whitstable Town on Sunday afternoon.

Going into the second leg, Hartpury trailed 2-0, and after creating a number of chances and huffing and puffing towards the end, the Hellenic Premier leaders were unable to find a route back into the tie and Whitstable will go on to face AFC Whyteleafe at Wembley in the final.

It was always going to be a special occasion for Hartpury, with 905 in attendance to see if Martin Longworth’s side could kick start a crucial few days with an epic comeback.

But they started slow, with Whitstable looking to try and score an early goal to kill the tie as early as possible.

Whitstable were making life difficult for Hartpury and pressed the hosts when playing out from the back, with keeper Stephen Sarkodie guilty of some misplaced passes in the first 45 minutes.

Louis Manning had the Acorns’ first chance of the game on nine minutes, but his header was blocked at the back post.

Ronal Sithole dragged an effort wide for the visitors, but after a nervy first 20 minutes from the hosts, the game settled down.

Luke Salter fired a free kick into the wall on the half hour mark, with Sol Kent’s follow up also blocked.

Finn Cotton and Renato Prifti had efforts on target for either side in the final ten minutes of the half, but Cotton’s effort was easily saved by Sarkodie and Prifti’s effort was palmed over by Dan Colmer.

The second half saw Whitstable look to keep Hartpury at an arm’s length and allowed the hosts more of the ball – but the backline continued to stand firm.

It allowed the game to slip into the final quarter of an hour without not too much happening.

Owen Giles fired over from range, before Whitstable striker Connor Wilkins nearly latched onto a through ball – but Sarkodie rushed out to sweep the ball away.

The visitors managed the game well in the final 10 minutes, making substitutions at regular intervals to prevent the hosts from building any momentum.

And with just two minutes to go, Whitstable nearly sealed the deal.

The ball was cut back from the left and Harvey Smith somehow fired wide from about 8 yards out, but the Whitstable fans continued to sing and start the celebrations, knowing the tie was safe.

At full time the Hartpury players looked dejected, as Whitstable celebrated with their fans, however they will need to dust themselves down and go again as they could win the Hellenic Premier title at Roman Glass St George on Wednesday night.

If Hartpury avoid defeat in either of their final two league games, they will lift the title after their home game with Sporting Club Inkberrow next weekend.

Martin Longworth’s side can still be proud of yet another great FA Vase run and know they are still in the hunt for a league and Challenge Cup double.

Hartpury University: Sarkodie, Kent, Robinson, Giles, Roney, Jenkins, Prifti, Towns, Osborn, Salter, Manning

Subs: Sims, Kang, Ewing, Reid, Kone

Whitstable Town: Colmer, Thompson, Olugbooi, Coyle, O’Mara, Dalton, Cotton, Wilkins, Jeche, Smith, Sithole

Subs: Aboyage, McIntyre, Rees, O’Mara-Knapp, Healy

C Martin Roofing Man of the Match – Josh Roney (Hartpury University)