Underdogs Tiptree United's fairytale FA Vase run continued with an inspired 2-0 victory at AFC Sudbury in the semi-final first-leg.

Action from Saturday's clash in the FA Vase

The Jam-makers stand just 90 minutes away from a Villa Park final, on May 11, after stunning the Suffolk side on Saturday.

They earned another breathtaking away victory in the competition against the Jewson League leaders after previous victories at holders Taunton Town and Burgess Hill in the quarter-finals.

Goals from Steve Daly and Steve Wareham were enough to spring an upset and give Tiptree a healthy advantage going into the second leg at Chapel Road this weekend.

Boss Neil Farlie said: "All I wanted was a dour, boring 0-0 draw so we'd have something to play for next week at home.

"At the moment we're not capable of 'normal' results. I wanted the team to go out and silence the crowd. I told them to keep it tight and work hard.

"To be fair, the sending off changed everything. After they were down to ten men we grew in stature.

"We worked on our set-pieces during the week and they caused them all kinds of problems."

Farlie singled out striker David Barefield for particular praise.

He said: "On Friday night he was sweating all over. I thought he was just nervous but he had a bout of flu. He told Steve Parnell that he didn't think he would play.

"I put him in because I have every faith in him. He was phenomenal up front. David and Colin Wall were excellent together as a strike pairing."

Looking forward to the second leg, Farlie will again hope to stifle the opposition after his side did such a superb defensive job on Saturday.

He added: "We'll look to play the same way. I'll ask the team to get at them and unsettle them. If we have to grind out a result then so be it. I don't care how we get to Villa Park.

"We're a young side. We know it's only half-time in the tie. The real hard work is still to come."

What makes Tiptree's unlikely FA Vase run the more staggering is that their Jewson League form has been indifferent. The club are 17th in the table.

In the other semi-final, Whitley Bay won 2-1 at home to Durham City in the first leg.

Published Monday, March 25, 2002