Tow Law Town 0 Colne 2

Colne were rewarded for their long journey to Tow Law Town with a well deserved win to take them through to the next round of the FA Vase. The Reds scored a goal in each half without reply from the home side who were reduced to ten men just before half time by a sending off for one of their central defenders.

In the opening stages, the home side tested the Reds defence and two well struck shots flew just wide of the Colne goal. But after 20 minutes, Colne came close at the other end when Jamie Walker's run took him into the Tow Law penalty area and his shot was blocked by home keeper Luke Teare to deny him in a one-on-one.

As play switched to the other end, Colne keeper Harry Turner kept the scoresheet blank with a vital save as he pushed a goal-bound shot round the post in a close call for the Reds. But Colne began to put together some good attacks and Luke Stowe's 20 yard shot was deflected for a corner. And as the resulting cross eluded the crowd at the near post, the ball fell to Jack Banks at the far post to volley into the roof of the net and give the Reds the lead after 37 minutes.

Six minutes later, Tow Law were reduced to ten men when Barney Wiggin was pulled back by central defender Kurt Matthews when through on goal resulting in a red card for the home side player. Ben Horne fired the resulting free kick inches over the home crossbar to leave a 0-1 scoreline at half time.

Colne took control in the second half and created a series of attacking moves. Tow Law came under pressure and did well to clear the danger from a cross into their goalmouth after 55 minutes when Corey Stacey followed up with a shot which was blocked in the penalty area. And minutes later, Banks saw his 25 yard goal-bound shot pushed over the bar with a spectacular save by Teare.

Tow Law were still a threat on the counterattack and Turner did well to punch a high ball away from his goalmouth under pressure after 67 minutes. But at the other end, Stacey saw his firmly struck shot come back off the post with the keeper well beaten.

After 77 minutes, Colne doubled their lead when Stacey provided the chance for Wiggin on the edge of the home area to fire a shot just inside the post leaving keeper Teare rooted to the spot. And five minutes later, as Alex Harvey orchestrated Colne's attacks, Stacey saw his 20 yard shot come back off the home crossbar in a let-off for the home side as the Reds ran out comfortable winners with some controlled possession play.