Won 2 -1 after extra time (Ht 1-0 Ft 1-1)
We were drawn against Suttonians in the AFA Cup so, with passports in hand, we all set off south of the river for the game. After discussions with our skipper Shag, we decided to go round the M25 over the Dartford Bridge and left the clubhouse about 12:30. Big mistake. 2 1/2 hours later we arrive at the ground (2:55) for a 3 o clock kick off.
Due to our let arrival we did not kick off until 3:15. Not the best prparation for a match.
It was not suprising that we started slowly, with Suttonians having more of the ball but without threatening our goal. After abount 15 minutes we started warming up and taking control of the game. We were pushing them back without creating any clear chances, but I felt that it was only a matter of time until we got our chance.
It came from a strange source after about 25 minutes. A corner was floated in from the right and one of their players thought he heard the whistle go, so as Chris headed the ball towards goal from the corner, their centre back put his hand up and handled it. Penalty! The whistle he had heard was from the rugby pitch next to ours. What a pratt. Aaron stepped up and scored the penalty.
The rest of the half continued in the same way as before with not many chances for either side.
The second half started with Suttonians attacking us and pinning us down in our own half. We were playing too deep and inviting them onto us. After 10 minutes Adam Barratt came off for Eamon. With about 20 minutes gone, a ball down our left was missed by Ben and their forward ran towards goal and finished well 1-1. This was one of the few chances they had had all game.
We then changed to 4 -4-2, with Harvey coming on for the injured Tom Hannington, and also tried to squeeze the game by playing a higher line.
The tactic worked. We pressed them for the next 25 minutes creating many goalscoring opporutinities and should have scored at least three goals. Chances were missed by Sean, Sonny and Andy Blackburn, where you thought that they would score. Ft 1 - 1. Extra time
Extra time started the same way as the second half finished, with us pressing them and creating many chances. Unfortunately, Harveys hamstring injury started playing up so he was less moble during extra time, but we were still pressing and creating opportunities. They hit us on he break a couple of times with Lewis making a couple of fine saves.
Two minutes to go and I was thinking of who would be taking the penalties. We got a freekick on the left about 40 yards out, after Sean was fouled. Aaron stepped up and floated a great ball into the box which was flicked on by Eamon into the corner. GOAL 2-1. I tore up my list of penalty takers.
Pasta then went in the the midfield to give us a 4-5-1 formation for the last minute and the whistle went shortly after. Great win.
A good overall performance against a good side and we shoiwed that we were also fitter that them, which was good to see.
Team Markings (out of 10)
Lewis Pontin 8 Made some good saves towards the end to keep us in the game
Shag 7 Steady game as usual
Andy Blackburn 7 Dominant at the back and kept on talking to the team
Aaron Wilson 9 Great perfomance. His free kicks throught the match were brilliant
Ben O'Neil 6 Steady game. Was unfortunate with the mistake.
Tom Hannington 6 Was hampered by injury. Didn't get much of the ball.
Chris Bradley 7 Worked hard throughout the game
Sonny Davis 7 Solid performance in midfield
Adam Barratt 6 Played well and will improve as he gets fitter
Sean Gallagher 7 Utility man. Played out of position again but did well.
Pasta 7 Looked sharp but didnt get a lot of the ball.
Eamon Meaney 7 Came on second half and played well. Good goal to win the game
Harvey 7 Looked sharp when he came on and worried their defence.
Man of the match Aaron Wilson
Please post you comments.
John
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