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STEGGS SAVES THE DAY!!
Richard Johnston9 Nov 2025 - 12:37
The Gingerbreads fight back to reach the next round of the FA Vase
Jack Steggles literally saved the day as Grantham Town beat Abbey Hulton in the second rounder proper of the FA Vase.
The Gingerbreads’ keeper saved three penalties in the shootout, and stepped up to convert the winning penalty in a true game of two halves.
Abbey Hulton, flying high in the Midland Premier Division, started the game well with Aaron Bott scoring after just seven minutes. The Stoke based team continued to dominate possession, always looking to break down the Grantham defence. In the 19th minute, the lead was doubled as Kieran Brown scored after some nice play down the left hand side. As the first half neared it’s conclusion, Grantham started to get more of a foothold in the game but their were no clear chances before referee, Saunders-Johnson, blew for the interval.
The second half saw captain, Nathan Stainfield, join the frontline as the Gingerbreads pumped long ball after long ball at the Abbey Hulton defence. This also saw the start of plenty of delays, as any Grantham challenge seemed to result in the opposition’s player laying on the ground holding their face. These disruptions would prove costly for the Abbey Hulton team.
If the opposition did have any complaints, it could well be with the dismissal of Mackenzie Faulkner in the 57th minute. Admittedly, his foot was high but a yellow card may well have been a fairer decision. However, this gave the Gingerbreads a deserved turn of luck and after good pressure in the box, Staino forced the ball towards the line. As everybody looked towards the linesman to confirm the goal, Terry Atem made no mistake by smashing the ball into the net. The comeback was on, and after even more play acting from the Abbey Hulton players, eight added minutes were displayed on the board. Grantham pushed and pushed and with seven minutes gone, Will Langford struck a beautiful goal into the far corner. There was one more chance for Grantham, as Terry Atem turned and curled one in but it just missed past the far post, as the ref blew his whistle.
Penalties would now decide the game, and this was Steggs’ moment to shine. He saved the first with Mason Lee putting Grantham ahead. After three penalties each, the score was 2-2, with Atem scoring for Grantham. Then Steggs saved two more with the score still 2-2 with one penalty to take. He then walked from the goal to the penalty spot and slotted a perfect penalty into the bottom corner.
The atmosphere was amazing, as the fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate with their heroes.
This was not the prettiest that the Gingerbreads have played this year, but Mitch Griffiths has built a team that don’t know how to give up and they commit to the very last second. For that alone they deserve to be in Monday’s draw and enjoy a triumph over a very good team.
Well done and “Come on the Gingerbreads!”
The Gingerbreads’ keeper saved three penalties in the shootout, and stepped up to convert the winning penalty in a true game of two halves.
Abbey Hulton, flying high in the Midland Premier Division, started the game well with Aaron Bott scoring after just seven minutes. The Stoke based team continued to dominate possession, always looking to break down the Grantham defence. In the 19th minute, the lead was doubled as Kieran Brown scored after some nice play down the left hand side. As the first half neared it’s conclusion, Grantham started to get more of a foothold in the game but their were no clear chances before referee, Saunders-Johnson, blew for the interval.
The second half saw captain, Nathan Stainfield, join the frontline as the Gingerbreads pumped long ball after long ball at the Abbey Hulton defence. This also saw the start of plenty of delays, as any Grantham challenge seemed to result in the opposition’s player laying on the ground holding their face. These disruptions would prove costly for the Abbey Hulton team.
If the opposition did have any complaints, it could well be with the dismissal of Mackenzie Faulkner in the 57th minute. Admittedly, his foot was high but a yellow card may well have been a fairer decision. However, this gave the Gingerbreads a deserved turn of luck and after good pressure in the box, Staino forced the ball towards the line. As everybody looked towards the linesman to confirm the goal, Terry Atem made no mistake by smashing the ball into the net. The comeback was on, and after even more play acting from the Abbey Hulton players, eight added minutes were displayed on the board. Grantham pushed and pushed and with seven minutes gone, Will Langford struck a beautiful goal into the far corner. There was one more chance for Grantham, as Terry Atem turned and curled one in but it just missed past the far post, as the ref blew his whistle.
Penalties would now decide the game, and this was Steggs’ moment to shine. He saved the first with Mason Lee putting Grantham ahead. After three penalties each, the score was 2-2, with Atem scoring for Grantham. Then Steggs saved two more with the score still 2-2 with one penalty to take. He then walked from the goal to the penalty spot and slotted a perfect penalty into the bottom corner.
The atmosphere was amazing, as the fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate with their heroes.
This was not the prettiest that the Gingerbreads have played this year, but Mitch Griffiths has built a team that don’t know how to give up and they commit to the very last second. For that alone they deserve to be in Monday’s draw and enjoy a triumph over a very good team.
Well done and “Come on the Gingerbreads!”
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