Brunel-sponsored Wealdstone FC played in a televised second-round FA Cup match on Saturday, battling valiantly against Wycombe Wanderers before ultimately losing 2–0.
The Ruislip-based club – the highest-placed part-time football team in the country, playing in the Vanarama National League – had progressed to the second round of England’s annual knockout competition for the first time since the 1977-78 season, thanks to a last-minute winner propelling the side to a 1–0 win over League Two’s Grimsby Town in early November.
That earned them the match against Wycombe, who currently sit atop League One, two tiers above Wealdstone, and the chance to reach the third round for only the second time in the club’s history.
Playing at home in their Brunel-emblazoned blue shirts in front of a packed-out Grosvenor Vale, Wealdstone’s David-versus-Goliath match with a local twist – they play a few miles north-east of Brunel’s Uxbridge-based campus, and Wycombe 20 miles north-west – made for irresistible viewing on the national broadcast channel ITV1.
Wealdstone nearly took the lead in the 22nd minute with an opportunity after a slick passage of play, but Wycombe stole the impetus just before the half-hour mark with a free kick curled into the net. The visitors’ goalkeeper denied all Wealdstone’s shots on goal, then Wycombe doubled their advantage a few minutes short of the full-time whistle.
Interviewed after the match, Wealdstone’s manager Matthew Taylor said: “Each one of our players was exceptional today. The reason, I think, we were all bitterly disappointed with the result was because [Wycombe’s] goalkeeper was their best player. It fills me with immense pride that our players have gone out and delivered.
“We looked strong, we looked quick, we looked athletic. We were good on the ball, especially around their box. So I’ve got nothing but praise for my players.”
The match’s attendance was confirmed as a record for the stadium of 3,534. “I really, really want to say thank you to them, because they backed the players today,” Taylor said. “And the biggest testament to the players is the applause they got from the supporters at the end of the game. They knew that we played really well today.”
Wealdstone return to action tomorrow in the National League Cup, when they entertain Derby County’s Under-21s at Grosvenor Vale, in a 7pm kick-off.
Coaching and management
The FA Cup campaign came a handful of months into Brunel University of London’s front-of-shirt sponsorship agreement with Wealdstone, with the university featuring on the local club’s home and away kits for three seasons.
A few weeks ago, the club announced that it is now working in partnership with the Union of Brunel Students and has taken on the responsibility of coaching and management for Brunel’s football provision.
The university has four men’s teams and one women’s team playing in the leagues run by the British Universities & College Sport (BUCS). As well as providing coaching and management expertise, Wealdstone will also give Brunel students who are making the grade access to the Wealdstone FC pathway and Academy training programme, based at the university’s Sports Park.
“Here at Brunel, we were rooting for Wealdstone to win their second-round match,” said Professor Geoff Rodgers, Brunel’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Employment. “It wasn’t to be this time, but we’ll be supporting them over the remainder of the season in the National League, and of course with next year’s FA Cup campaign too.
“We’re proud of the strengthening partnerships between our organisations, ranging from the many Brunel students volunteering to take on match-day operational tasks to our Brunel Business School academics supporting the club on a project to enhance and transform their organisation.
“Wealdstone taking on the coaching and management of our student football teams is yet another positive development, and one that will further broaden Brunel’s appeal to students at the top of their sporting discipline.”
Find out more about Brunel’s Sports Scholarships Programme
Reported by:
Joe Buchanunn,
Media Relations
+44 (0)1895 268821
joe.buchanunn@brunel.ac.uk