Derbyshire Junior Sunday Cup 3rd Round.
Britannia F.C....2 Ockbrook F.C....3 AET (1-1 aft 90 mins)
The LONG AWAITED Derbyshire Cup game was EVENTUALLY played at the FIFTH time of asking, even though the fixture had to be reversed and played at Ockbrook. Joining the Britannia line up was striker Scott Bennett after a long lay off through injury, and keeper Billy Furniss, back after suspension. Dropping out was defender Rickie Silcock (injury) and midfielder/striker Paul Walton who picked up a red card in the Hutson Cup tie at Renishaw in November.
The tie itself was never going to be a classic after BOTH sides had suffered LONG lay offs, with the recent BIG FREEZE decimating the football fixtures since the end of November. Britannia however went close within 45 seconds of the start, a long Shaun Goodwin throw was flicked backwards with a smart Jez Miitchell header beyond the keeper, but a well placed defender hooked the ball away off the goal line. At the other end a ball up the line saw the Ockbrook winger skip past Bonson, but he fired across the 6 yard box within no-one following up.
There was a HUGE talking point after 8 mins, and a decision that altered the WHOLE course of the game, a long ball over the top sent Mitchell clear, but the Ockbrook keeper raced out of his box and clearly HANDLED the ball a good 4-5 yards outside his area. After a long deliberation, the Referee shown the keeper a YELLOW CARD much to the amazment of the Britannia team and following. Mitchell curled the free kick UP and Over the wall, but the keeper saved well, low down to his left.
Good work on 11 mins by Danny Brown and Mitchell saw the chance come to nothing, and on 13 mins a fine ball by Higginbottom was superbly controlled on the chest by Bennett, before feeding the ball through to Mitchell but the shot fizzed wide. Within a minute a fine run and dribble up the wing by Danny Brown won the Blues a corner, but the chance was cleared.
As Britannia pushed forward, it seemed just a matter of time before they took the lead. A fine ball by Dean Brown saw Mitchell upended 25 yards from goal, but Dean Browns free kick was saved. Furniss was called into action on 33 mins when he parried a long range strike, and the rebound went for a goalkick. It was AGONY for Scott Bennett on 34 mins, a long kick by Furniss was controlled by the big striker who superbly CLIPPED a fine lob over the advancing keeper, only to see the ball crash back off the crossbar,and into the grateful keepers arms. Furniss saved well on 36 mins diving full length to his left to push a shot away. The last chance of the half fell to Danny Brown, a long ball by Bonson saw Mitchell jink his way round a couple of Ockbrook defenders before crossing to the onrushing Brown who fired inches wide with just the keeper to beat. HALF TIME Britannia FC..0 Ockbrook F.C..0.
Benny replaced the out of sorts Dean Brown at half time, who was clearly suffering from a lack of match practice and on came Tim Taylor to play just in front of the back 3, within a minute of the restart Ockbrook were foiled by a brilliant Billy Furniss save, a long throw was superbly controlled with the striker swivveling and shooting first time in the box. They went close AGAIN within a minute firing just wide after a defensive mistake as Britannia started the half slowly. Ockbrook eventually took the lead on 52 minutes after ANOTHER defensive blip, a through ball sliced the Brits defence wide open, and the striker fired past Furniss. They almost doubled thier lead within a minute, a through ball was missed by Furniss, but Miles came to his aid with a fine timely clearance.
Britannia slowly carved their way back into the game, Taylor showing some grit in midfield with some well timed challenges, and classy passing, pushing his team forward. On the hour Mitchell battled for a ball he had just lost, before looking up and picking out WRIGHT with a peach of a pass, who fired home from just inside the Ockbrook box. Within 3 mins Ockbrook had a goal chalked off after a linesmans flag halted play.Moments later they went close again when a header from a long throw went just over.
With 20 mins to go Danny Brown went close again , firing wide after latching onto a through ball. It was pretty much end to end stuff as both sides searched for a winner. Mitchell missed the chance of the game on 73 mins after superbly controlling a cross before LASHING the chance over with the goal, and keeper at his mercy. At the other end anoher fine save by Furniss kept Britannia in the game, and Ockbrook spurned a great chance from the spot as Wright was harshly adjudged to have fouled. On 77 mins a fine sweeping pass by Mitchell picked out Megyesi, but the chance was wasted. Furniss made the save of the game on 85 mins diving bravely by his post and flicking the shot away right on his line, thus earning him the MOTM award. He was at his best again as time began to run out after a mistake by Higginbottom saw the keeper tip a shot over his bar. FULL TIME Britannia F.C...1 Ockbrook FC...1 +EXTRA TIME+
On 92 mins a long ball set Mitchell free, his strong run and cross picked out Wright,but he shot wide. Ockbrook took the lead on 97 mins a ball up the right wing saw Higginbottom caught out as the striker raced clear and fired his shot across Furniss and into the far corner of the net. Wright went close again firing wide when well placed on 101 mins. Megyesin then had a shot well saved before Ockbrook made it seemingly safe with a 3-1 lead on 103 mins, a ball over the top caught the defence out again.
Benny then made a double change for the last 15 mins, Hardy and Cupitt coming on for the tiring Bennett and Higginbottom. Britannia huffed and puffed trying to carve out the chances, Megyesi, Wright, Mitchell and Brown having chances before DANY BROWN reduced arrears with 8 mins left latching onto a through ball by Bonson. Mitchell was yellow carded with just 5 mins remaning when he was harshly adjudged to be offside when well placed for a run on goal. FULL TIME Britannia F.C...2 Ockbrook F.C....3
