First of all I’d like to say for such a big game in the clubs history and against very strong opposition it was very disappointing to see the number of players available and lack of support from club members. That said a big thank you to all the people that did make the effort to come and support us on Saturday, Big Ben Freeman, Cath Warnock, Rob and Hound Harrison and the whole Shing family, take a bow. Oh yeah and Chairman Wood. I think Ben and Cath will be fighting it out for the B&A clubman of year award come May.
With a whole host of regulars missing from the line up the manager had to call up some fringe players and even dip in to the reserves for their big cup tie away at Long Lane. Pikey and Smithy Wood came straight in to the side along with wild card Dan Bala and Dav De Massi bolstered the squad giving options from the bench. The players turned up and made their way to the changing rooms, through the clubhouse, past the club shop, past the fitness centre. It was an impressive set up and our oppositions seemed very well drilled and organised. It was almost as organised as Crowborough Town FC!!
There were only a handful of chances in the first half. Long Lane had plenty of pace going forward and knocked the ball around with huge confidence. Smithy and Bowlsey dealt with pace through the middle well and Pat and Junior combined well on the right to keep their wide man from getting any crosses in. Long Lane could have taken the lead mid way through the half when there centre forward got the better of the back four and got his shot away from close range only to be denied by a fantastic save from Matt Wood. Unfortunately they did take the lead shortly afterwards. Hamish connected well with a perfect Spudulike corner but it was well saved by the keeper and his delivery straight away was flicked on for their pacey centre forward who pulled clear of Gandhi and slipped it under Pikey in the sticks.
At half time Zac was introduced in place of Pat on the right and straight away added something different to the attack. He was then moved up top when Dav replaced Dan. We started to carve out some half chances. Ferg blazing over from distance and 2Gun drawing the keeper out but we couldn’t quite get the shot off. Then it looked like we had equalised, another quality dead ball from Spud out on the right was met by the ever impressive Ginger Prince to nod past the Lane keeper. As the boys wheeled away to celebrate they realised the linesman had his flag up. Much to the surprise of both sets of players!
Hamish and Thumbelina continued to impress in the middle. It was a game in which we were without the ball for long periods of time, not something we’re used to week in week out. So everyone had to put a shift in. We didn’t play as much of our usual football as we’d have liked but everyone battled hard until the end. So it was disappointing when they scored a 2nd late on. Harrison was caught on the ball on the half way line, winger broke free and crossed low in to the box, their centre forward connected but it was Junior who pushed the ball over the line in a last ditch attempt to get it clear. There was still time for Matt to make one last unbelievable save, this time from a diving header at point blank range.
Plenty of positives to take from today but it’s a defeat and the cup dream is over for another year.
