Bodmin's FA Vase dream ends after Gornal's early strike

Bodmin Town 0, Gornal Athletic 1
An early goal from Gornal's Lee Wherton was enough to end Bodmin Town's FA Carlsberg Vase dream at a muddy Priory Park on Saturday afternoon.
Midfield man Wherton's 12th minute volley was going wide before it deflected off a team-mate to leave Bodmin goalkeeper Kevin Miller rooted to his line as the ball rolled into the net.
It proved to be enough to send the Midland Alliance first division side through to the quarter-finals of the prestigious national competition at the expense of their Cornwall opponents.
Bodmin will look back on the fifth round tie, played in front of a good sized crowd, with some regrets after failing to produce their best form on such a big occasion.
Like their West Midlands opponents, Darren Gilbert's side were looking to progress to the last eight of the Vase for the first time in their history.
But they were always chasing the game after making a nervous start, which culminated in Gornal's goal. And in muscle-sapping conditions, it was not easy to recover.
There were chances for Bodmin. Sam Matthews was presented with a great opportunity in the 14th minute but screwed his shot wide, and then Carter headed over from ten yards after Steve Colwell's left wing cross in the 28th minute.
Between those attacks, Bodmin boss Gilbert was ordered to the stand by pedantic referee Adam Hopkins for infringing on the playing surface when he protested at an offside decision.
It seemed strange to home supporters that the Plymouth referee completely ignored the persistent rantings of Gornal manager Ian Rowe towards both the fourth official and one of the assistant referees.
Gornal came close to doubling their lead six minutes before half-time when Matt Weyman found plenty of space on the right and his dangerous low cross was touched goalwards by Marvin Nisbett, only to see the ball scrambled clear.
It was the end of a lacklustre first half by Bodmin but they improved considerably in the second half, without having any good fortune in front of goal.
Adam Carter twice found himself in scoring positions but first he completely missed his header and then lost his balance as he tried to force a shot in from ten yards.
Chris Luxton, who had been given a rough ride by Gornal's meaty central defenders, thought he had good grounds for a penalty when visiting skipper Chris Waterhouse appeared to grab a handful of his shirt but the referee waved away his appeals.
Luxton then brought the best out of Gornal keeper James Pemberton, seeing a curling left foot shot tipped around the post as Bodmin pressed hard for the equaliser.
Their last clear opportunity arrived in the 86th minute when substitute Glynn Hobbs somehow forced a cross towards Carter and his header had two Gornal defenders scrambling to clear off the line.
And despite five minute of added time, Bodmin were unable to find a way through, leaving Gornal to travel back up the M5 with Monday's quarter-final draw to look forward to.
Bodmin: Miller, Morgan (Hobbs 65), Rundle, Chambers, Simmonds, Brokenshire, Colwell (Swiggs 82), Krac, Carter, Luxton (Doel 88), Matthews. Sub not used: Reed.
Yellow cards: Rundle (40), Brokenshire (83).
Gornal: Pemberton, Green, Wood, Tilt, Waterhouse, Perks, Weyman, Wherton, Martin (Wilkhoo 46; Blair 88)), Nisbett, Rabone (Sangha 89). Subs not used: Nicholls, Martin (gk).
Goal: Wherton (12 minutes).
Yellow cards: Wherton (35), Rabone (81).
Referee: Adam Hopkins (Plymouth).
Attendance: 350.
Man of the Match: Luke Rundle (Bodmin).