Bury Town 1 Northwood 2
Saturday 10th September 1983
| NORTHWOOD | |||
 |
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| 1 | John Toogood | ||
| 2 | Peter Nelmes | ||
| 3 | Steve Revell | ||
| 4 | Peter Lammin | ||
| 5 | Bobby Bennett | ||
| 6 | Mick Byron | ||
| 7 | Steve Floodgate | ||
| 8 | Paddy Coburn | ||
| 9 | Viv James | ||
| 10 | Martin Ellis | ||
| 11 | Mark Nelhams | ||
| Substitutes | |||
| 12 | Harry Nixon | ||
Bury Town: Gary Nunn, Taffy Davies, Phil Boyland, Les Tibbott, Game, Richardson, Harvey, Trevor Sadd, Gary Hughes (Steve Bryant 47m), Taylor, Spore |
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Northwood, then in the Hellenic League Premier Division, exceeded their wildest expectations, by taking their first step down the long road to Wembley with this surprise FA Vase Extra Preliminary Round success over Eastern Counties League Bury. It was the Woods’ first-ever FA Vase fixture.
Woods' victory owed much to the notable performances of two players. Manager Paddy Coburn, a late replacement for Glyn Owen, led by example with a vigorous display that denied Bury Town both time and space, whilst John Toogood earned the admiration of his opponents and the adulation of his team-mates with a masterful performance when Northwood had their backs to the wall in the latter stages.
Both sides could have opened the scoring in the opening five minutes. Martin Ellis poked the ball wide after latching onto Phil Boyland's suicidal back pass and at the other end Trevor Sadd headed Hughes' fine cross against the bar. Hughes' pace was a constant worry for Northwood. After ten minutes he raced between two defenders only to lob over and in the 31st minute keeper John Toogood saved at his feet.
But it was the visitors who drew first blood when Viv James intercepted a midfield pass and skilfully avoided two defenders before driving in a low shot that keeper Gary Nunn could only parry, leaving Mark Nelhams the simple task of sliding the ball home.
The match seemed over when the strong-running Martin Ellis made it 2-0 fifteen minutes into the second half after being set free by Mick Byron, but Bury hit back to reduce the arrears through Steve Bryant and set up a furious rearguard action by Northwood, the success of which earned them a home tie with Kernpston Rovers in the next round.
