Wessex GFA Cup defeat at the hands of Bradley Stoke made the front page of the Evening Post Grassroots pull out on Tuesday 4th October. Here’s the story in full…

Clark scores controversial winner to send Bradley Stoke through

BRADLEY Stoke began the month with a dramatic stoppage-time winner to secure a place in the second round of the GFA Junior Cup.

Lewis Perryman’s gliding header steered the hosts into an early lead, but Ben Osborne replied for Bradley Stoke with a sharp strike. Ash Gray pounced on a rebound to put the visitors in front before Jamie Lewis replied for Wanderers with a belting free-kick.

With the game heading towards extra-time, Brad Clark grabbed a controversial 97th-minute winner.

Suburban League side Wanderers raced into a fifth-minute lead as Perryman used his aerial power to head into the bottom corner of the net.

The visitors had a perfect chance to equalise when Mathew Hull was slotted through by Osborne, but the youngster lost his composure and shot into the arms of Carl Bush.

Bradley Stoke continued to attack and were rewarded on 19 minutes when Adam Sykes’ inviting corner was driven home on the volley by Osborne.

Wanderers nearly regained their advantage after a long throw from Perryman caused havoc in the Bradley Stoke box. Mike Snook looked certain to score, but Nathan Corney stuck his head out to rescue his side.

The visitors went ahead seven minutes after half-time when Clark’s booming effort rocked the crossbar and fellow substitute Gray was on hand to scoop home the rebound.

Wanderers equalised against the run of play on 68 minutes with a magnificent swerving free-kick by Lewis. Gary’s dipping effort ricocheted off an upright before the visitors grabbed their last-gasp winner. Osborne was controversially deemed to have been fouled by Lee Flay and Clark’s curling free-kick confused keeper Bush, who flapped the ball into the net.

“The team played some wonderful football and dug deep to come away worthy winners,” said Bradley Stoke manager Rich Sears.

Wanderers boss Chris Hawkings said: “It was such a shame to concede in the manner we did, but our focus this year is to bounce back into Premier Division II.”

Wessex Wanderers: Carl Bush (captain), Owen Lewis, Ben Pocock, Lee Dorgan, Lee Flay, Gary Russell, Mike Snook, Stewart Smart, Jamie Lewis, Lewis Perryman, Ryan Campbell. Subs: Luke Webster, Rob Pring.

Bradley Stoke: James Potter, Ben Osborne (captain), Craig Potter, James Holbrook, Nathan Corney, Ed Linsdale, Mathew Burgess, Tom Osborne, Kyle Matravers, Adam Sykes, Mathew Hull. Subs: Adam Townsend, Ash Gray, Brad Clark.