The FA Vase trail continues

At this time of year, even a few weeks makes a big difference. My previous FA Vase adventure at Crook Town was in the last of the autumn sunlight. Crook’s next game in the competition was in the November North Yorkshire drizzle.

Not that this was putting anybody off. Northallerton Town hoped for a place in the fourth round for the first time in 17 years – and at that stage, a trip to Wembley becomes at least a blurred outline on the horizon. Crook, meanwhile, having enjoyed a decent run in the FA Cup, was eager to continue its onward march. A fair-sized traveling contingent from County Durham (which included some of the dogs who came to Non-League Dogs day in the previous round) swelled the crowd. Improbably, it meant a queue at the turnstile as the teams went through their Remembrance Weekend rituals and there were still people outside when the game kicked off. Usually that happens with five-figure crowds, but cup fever can excite even at a lower level.

Once inside, the beloved features of non-league footie were all present and correct. It starts with an oddity: a lime green alligator mascot (Northallerton, the Ally, alligator; obvious when you think about it) dishing out chocolate to the youth teams. Elite-level sports nutrition, no doubt.

Ally the Gator got to roam a nice chunk of terracing, largely gone from top-level footie but pretty much de rigeur at this level. It’s a happy throwback for fans of a certain vintage who remember standing in a great, swaying mass behind the goals back in the day. And, with most people standing, the atmosphere is different. It’s easier to move around, there’s a greater sense of freedom as opposed to being clamped into a designated plastic seat.

That can turn into a license to let off steam, of course. And in a crowd of a few hundred, it’s easier to make an individual voice heard, on and off the field. Today was no exception. Loudmouth fan, angrily berating everyone? Tick. Opposing player happy to shout back at him? Tick. Referee unpersuaded to take any action against anyone during this frank, but fairly good-natured exchange of views? Tick. You don’t get that in the Premier League: if the size of the crowd and the distance from the pitch doesn’t stop you, the language barrier probably will.

That chat among the fans is rather more relaxed than in the pro game as well: late on, with Northallerton chasing the game, a good chance was wasted by a home forward. Amid the groans among the home fans, somebody turned around. “Watch what you say, that’s my grandson!” A pause. “Mind, he should have done better. His dad’ll have plenty to say about that.” There’s no lack of commitment, from players or fans, but the toys are less inclined to fly out of the pram and the spittle-flecked rage that sours the internet after every disappointing result is largely absent here.

For Northallerton, though, this game ends in disappointment. The home team made the brighter start, helped by a penalty in the 15th minute. Nathan Stephenson’s finish was rather more convincing than the referee’s decision to punish the faintest hint of a handball. Crook came into the game as the first half wore on, although the action was often too frantic to deliver the kind of clear scoring chance the visitor needed.

That changed after the break. A free kick floated in from the right caused confusion; one header bundled away, a second from Sonni Coleman found the net. The game got ever more stretched as players tired. Errors crept in and scoring chances came at both ends. With eight to play, Stephenson hit the post for Northallerton; four minutes later Coleman struck again to win it for Crook. Tough to take for the home team, not least because Coleman is a former Northallerton player. That’s the footballing law of the ex for you. Ex-tinguished hopes for the Ally, ex-citing times for Crook?

Game details

Nov. 9, 2024. Calvert Stadium, Northallerton

FA Vase Round 3

Northallerton Town 1 (Stephenson (pen)) Crook Town 2 (Coleman 2)

Att: 330