Bucks 1 Eastwood 0 - match report

Opportunity knocks for AFC Telford United - and the road to Wembley is looking more inviting than ever today.

The Bucks were forced to work their socks off against Eastwood, only squeezing into the last 16 of the FA Trophy thanks to a terrifically-crafted goal superbly finished by Adam Proudlock.

They were this morning awaiting the outcome of a third round draw that included just five teams from the top flight of non-League football, and one of those - Cambridge United - must win a replay with Alfreton if they are to stay in the hunt.

Only Luton Town, Darlington, Mansfield and Gateshead - a quartet of ex-Football League sides - have made sure of their places from the Blue Square Bet Premier.

And the Bucks will know this is an inviting opportunity to try and better their 2009 run to the semi-finals.

Boss Andy Sinton has optimistically talked about winning this competition and his belief is growing by the day.

He was certainly happy with the way his side adapted to difficult conditions to see off the Badgers - a side who had claimed the scalp of Rushden & Diamonds in a first round replay just four days earlier.

A strong wind blowing towards the David Hutchison Stand throughout the game made control of the ball difficult.

And Eastwood, described to me by one knowledgeable source who would rather remain anonymous as a throwback in style to the Wimbledon of the 1980s, did not make matters any easier.

Their 'up and at 'em' style certainly caused the Bucks problems in the first half.

The giant throw-ins of their right-back Adrian Hawes screamed into the Telford box like missiles on countless occasions.

Long balls also allowed them to counter-attack with speed and dangerous directness.

It took a fabulous Ryan Young save to deny Adam Muller after 20 minutes, the striker having skilfully controlled one pass launched forward from deep in his own half.

At the other end, the Bucks found chances at a premium.

Their best first half openings saw Phil Trainer going close with one 20-yard drive and the impressive Jon Adams forcing a smart block with the legs from Eastwood's veteran keeper John Danby.

Telford had the wind on their backs in the second half and that undoubtedly helped as they went on to control the game for long periods.

Eastwood tried to disrupt them with some rough-house tactics that could have been clamped down upon more quickly.

But they were powerless to do anything about what proved to be the defining moment of the match — a goal of true quality.

Carl Rodgers started it, spreading the ball intelligently from the centre circle to Sean Newton, playing as more of a left wing-back.

Newton burst down the flank and whipped in an inviting cross. Two defenders might have got a foot on it but missed the chance and Proudlock gratefully side-footed the ball high into the roof of the net.

That goal forced the visitors to take more risks and led to an open finale as they grew ever more adventurous in their bid to force an equaliser.

Telford's defence has yet to be breached in 2011 though, and it kept that record in tact with some accomplished work.

The Bucks also counter-attacked effectively, Proudlock and Rodgers both going close with chances to make the tie safe.

Eastwood's best chance of an equaliser fell to Hawes, his header from a corner hit team-mate Matthew Rhead on the line before being cleared gratefully to safety.

But there was no doubting that Telford were worthy winners by the final whistle.

They will now believe anything is possible, whatever today's draw may bring.

Match analysis by Chris Hudson