Hat-trick hero Elliott Nevitt fired Warrington Rylands to the Buildbase FA Vase title for the first time in their 115-year history, as David McNabb’s men powered to a 3-2 win over Binfield at Wembley.
The newly-promoted Northern Premier League West side endured early pressure but went in front when Nevitt volleyed home in the 25th minute after Joe Coveney’s clever headed pass.
Liam Ferdinand equalised for Binfield three minutes before half-time but Nevitt’s penalty moments later restored Rylands’ lead, before the striker - who also scored the winner for Campfield FC in the FA Sunday Cup final recently - added a third after the interval.
Ferdinand completed his brace with little over 20 minutes to go to keep Binfield in the game, but the Moles were ultimately unable to avoid defeat on their first visit to the home of English football.
YOUR 2021 FA VASE CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2L1wPFyi1e
— Warrington Rylands FC (@RylandsFC) May 22, 2021
The match started at a blistering tempo with Binfield looking to stamp their authority from the off, and skipper Sean Moore was at the centre of two potent attacks that won a couple of early corners for the Berkshire side.
A seventh-minute Kensley Maloney free-kick caused problems for the Rylands defence before Moore eventually fired over, but the Blues went straight down the other end and Stephen Milne crossed into a dangerous area to keep goalkeeper Chris Grace on his toes.
As both sides continued to find plenty of space to create chances Binfield defender Dave Hancock had to be on red alert to clear a piercing Rylands ball over the top with Nevitt breathing down his neck.
The ball was in the net in the 22nd minute after Milne latched onto Rick Smith’s sumptuous pass and rounded Grace before finishing, but his effort was chalked off for offside by referee John Busby.
Rylands continued to grow in confidence and Milne went close yet again just three minutes later with Grace out of position, but the ball was eventually recycled and Coveney headed into Nevitt’s path who volleyed home to make it 1-0.
Milne’s influence on the game continued to grow with his pace in behind causing Binfield plenty of problems, but the Moles hit back and defender Tom Willment steered a long-range effort wide shortly after the half-hour mark.
Nevitt had eyes on a second goal after a cleverly disguised pass from Milne, but after Liam Gavin blocked Binfield broke on the counter attack and Ferdinand headed in Moore’s cross to make it 1-1.
That scoreline lasted a matter of seconds however, as Gavin brought down Charlie Doyle in the box immediately after the restart and Nevitt made no mistake from the resulting penalty to re-establish Rylands’ advantage.
The match resumed in quieter fashion than the first half had ended as Binfield looked to level terms once again, but their uphill task became steeper when Nevitt headed in his third goal just before the hour.
Binfield refused to lie down though and Graeme McCall had to produce a stunning close-range save from Oliver Harris’ shot at the far post following a looping cross from substitute Josh Howell.
That sniff of goal seemed to spark Binfield into life and Ferdinand reduced the arrears with a strike from the edge of the box that made it 3-2 in the 67th minute.
With the game’s momentum somewhat in Binfield’s favour Kane Drummond wasted a chance to double Rylands’ lead, with his shot too close to goalkeeper Grace.
And though both sides enjoyed chances in the closing stages no-one was able to add their name to the scoresheet, with Warrington seeing out the contest to get their hands on the coveted trophy.
Binfield: Chris Grace, Elliott Legg, Liam Gavin, Jamie McClurg, Dave Hancock, George Short, Tom Willment, Kensley Maloney, Sean Moore (c), Liam Ferdinand, Oliver Harris
Substitutes: Josh Howell for Short 64’, Jack Thomson-Wheeler for Legg 72’, Asa Povey for Harris 72’
Substitutes not used: Jemel Johnson, Jack Broome, Phil Veal, Josh Helmore
Goals: Ferdinand 42’, 67’
Warrington Rylands: Graeme McCall, Jack Tinning, Warren Gerrard, Joe Coveney, Rick Smith, Gary Kenny (c), Kane Drummond, Charlie Doyle, Andy Scarisbrick, Stephen Milne, Elliott Nevitt
Substitutes: Sam Sheen for Coveney 62’, Tom Freeman for Tinning 76’, Freddie Potter for Milne 89’
Substitutes not used: Paul Shanley, Callum Lees, Michael Emery, Joe Denman
Goals: Nevitt 25’, 44’ (p), 59’
