Following last week's emphatic win in the league 3M played Reading side Southbank in the B&B cup. 3M started the game in confident mood with some flowing football which set the tone for the first half with early efforts from Tyler and Ellis. Southbank responded with an effort of their own hitting the top of the bar directly from a corner. 3M had a great chance to take the lead following a great pass from Dunnet that put Edney clear only to be pressured by the Southbank defence his shot was deflected into the path of Dixon who's shot was saved by the keeper. Disaster then appeared to have struck 3M as Edney (claiming a push) fell to the ground and pushed the ball away with his hand. Edney making his first start of the season went into the ref's notebook with his customary yellow card. A. Green in the 3M goal made a great save from the resulting penalty with his legs and luckily for 3M the re-bound hit the post and the follow up was then blocked by Vaessen. Dunnet took a free kick which fell to R. Green who pulled the ball back and Edmonds shot from the edge of the area which was comfortably saved by the Southbank keeper. This proved to be just a range finder for Edmonds. Shortly after a throw in from Dunnet found Tyler who took the ball forward releasing Edney down the left who's cross was headed away by a defender only for Ellis to stretch for the ball touching it to Tyler who fired into the the bottom corner of the net. 3M doubled their lead after a Tyler free kick was cleared to Tyler who laid it off to Earl who in turn laid it off to Dunnet who's cross was cleared to the edge of the area, R. Green rose above the Southbank defender to cushion a header to Edmonds. The ball sat up nicely and Edmonds volleyed in with a looping shot over the helpless Southbank keeper. 3M were now in total control of the game with further chances for Edney with a header from an Ellis cross and Tyler being put through by Dunnet only for both efforts going straight at the keeper. Just before half-time Ellis had a great header brilliantly saved by the Southbank keeper after a wonderful cross from Dixon. The final chance of the half come when following a great run from the impressive Fernley who was hacked down, Tyler's resulting free kick was expertly bent around the wall only for the keeper to tip it round the post at full stretch. Half time and 3M were good value for their 2-0 lead. 3M contiued to create chances with Tyler beating his man and keeping the ball in play on the by-line before cutting back to Ellis who's first time shot went straight at the keeper. A Tyler corner was met on the stretch at the back post by Edney who's effort was blocked on the line, Edney's handball appeals fell on deaf ears. Shortly after the goal of the game followed. With Earl winning a free-kick just inside 3M half Dunnet pinged an inch perfect pass to the other side of the pitch, Dixon controlled laying it into the path of Edmonds who took one touch before arrowing in a shot from 30 yards into the far corner of the net. An early contender for goal of the season. And still the chances came, Tyler seeing a free kick from wide going straight at the keeper and Ellis seeing a shot blaze high and wide following more tenacious work from Fernley. 3M then switched off after clearing a free kick Southbank collected the ball wide and as the cross came over an unmarked Southbank forward was able to bring the ball down before firing back across goal for another unmarked Southbank forward slotting into the empty net. 3M responded in a positive fashion going straight up the other end only for the unlucky Ellis to rattle the crossbar with a left footed volley from Edney's cross. Tyler then cut in from the left before unleashing a right footed shot at the Southbank goal only for the keeper to make another save. Southbank began to try and press 3M and A. Green came to 3M aid with a save with his legs as the burly Southbank winger bared down on goal. 3M started to become penned in to their half and using the counter attack. Edmonds had a header go wide following a cross from Edney. 3M defence was holding firm with Earl and Vaessen getting in some last ditch blocks. From a corner Southbank made the last ten minutes a nervy one for 3M as a Southbank player got a free header at the near post to make the score 3-2 to 3M. Southbank nearly managed to take the game into extra time as the Southbank forward turned on the edge of the box advancing towards goal he took a shot towards the bottom corner only for A. Green to stick out a leg and make an outstanding save. 3M had many opportunities to have beaten Southbank more convincingly than the scoreline suggested. A. Green's penalty save and last minute save proving decisive which earned him the mom award.
