Goals : Nick W 2

 

After last week’s win we were looking to move forward and take the season by storm by beating Monopoly in the quarters of the cup.

 

And we started off on a flyer with Monopoly defender hand balling in the first few minutes giving us a penalty. Nick stood up and slotted it home giving us the lead. We continued to press forward and playing good football knocking the ball around and creating chances. Bruno cutting across from the left in the penalty box somehow misses Nick for his second. Then against the run of play Monopoly get a lucky free kick for a high foot when the player put his head down, we protest but it goes in deaf ears. From the free kick it’s pretty straight forward catch for Tommy but unfortunately fumbles it in a nightmare and goes in the net and somehow we are level terms after dominating much of the first 20 minutes.

 

Monopoly tails are up a bit now and a weaving counter attack sees their striker get into space behind our defence and we are 2-1 down shortly afterwards. To our credit we bounced back well and a few attacks into their box result in dangerous positions result in near misses from Nick.

 

We go into the break with positive frame of mine and dominate most of the second half. Muzza comes on and has a few chances but their defence somehow get a foot in. Nick is causing loads of problems and we are pretty much camped in their half. As the half progresses a well deserved goal comes on a well worked move on the left with a Rob cross finds Nick who heads it goal bound and deflects off their defender and the keeper has no chance. 2-2 all with everything to play for.

 

We are really on the attack now and Aidan has a shot that just misses and Rob powers a shot straight to keeper one meter either side would have been a goal. We have a cross from Steph which their player clearly handballs but doesn’t get a penalty.  Marriott gets taken down on the edge of the box but somehow doesn’t get free kick. As the clock is winding down it looks like it might go to penalties.

 

Then Monopoly get a corner against the run of play and it basically goes almost straight in with their player almost heading the ball on the line with 5 minutes to go. We don’t give up and we create some terrific chances at the end. Bruno two headers requires an amazing save from their keeper. Monopoly hold on and somehow we lose the game. We are all pretty gutted and the Monopoly players for the second time this year must be thinking the gods are on their side.

 

I believe most players gave it their all on another day we would have won it. Bertie and Briggsy had solid games along with Thomas D, Steph and Andy B. Midfield of Povey, Aidan and Rob were excellent. Mariott, Keith, Commbes had good games while Joey needs to get some foot ware but still had an impact when on the pitch. Bruno played excellent and Muzza had a few dangerous attacks when he was on which almost got us a goal. In the end Man of match goes to Nick Wheatley who was outstanding with two goals and terrorized their defence all afternoon.

 

A few players didn’t get much of run out and I apologies for that, I think taking 18 players to a match is clearly too many.

 

We still got league to look forward to and if we can eliminate our errors we have every chance to win it on the display on Saturday. We are 6 points behind the leaders with a game in hand and we still need to play them. It’s up to us to do it preparation both on the pitch and off the pitch is needed to get the results.

 

H