Match Report by Rob Crozier:
Boots Wednesday were sent crashing out of the County Cup after cruelly being beaten 5-3 after extra time by Elwes Arms (EMPAL Division 1). It was an exhausting encounter and I am sure everyone is feeling the after affects today!
Boots lined up in a new 4-5-1 formation, and it mattered little whether it was a tactical masterstroke by Spence or one forced upon him because Boots started in the ascendancy. The back four of Crozier, Chris, Subo and Patto kept work for Phil to a minimum, and the midfield of Si, Pete, Fletch, Ash and Rich were on top and supported the lone striker of Luke well. Pete especially seemed to enjoy his advanced midfield role (so much so you could say it was actually a 4-4-2!) Rich was getting good joy on the right with lots of space and after having one chance already denied, he once again cut in from the right and had a shot that was deflected into Luke’s path for an easy finish at the back post.
The pressure was maintained for the rest of the half and Boots added a second when a long throw from Ash on the left was headed on by Fletch into the path of Rich who provided the calm volleyed finish across the keeper. Elwes Arms were well and truly shaken and had minimal chances as Boots closed out the half 2-0 up, having to ride a number of reckless challenges along the way.
Elwes Arms were always going to pick up and increase the pressure in the second half as they looked for a way back into the game, and tired legs on Boots’ side started to take their toll. Simon, who had worked hard in the middle breaking up play, was replaced by Ian, but Elwes Arms gained a lifeline when Patto looked to shepherd the ball out at the goal-line but their striker nipped in and laid it to the edge of the area for their centre midfielder to finish accurately into the roof of the net, leaving Phil no chance.
As the pressure picked up Boots did start to sit deeper and deeper trying to cling on to the lead and with 15 minutes to go the equaliser came from a corner, their striker finishing off a quick run to rise unopposed and put it past Phil.
After leading for so long and being cruelly pegged back, the opposition had the momentum so it was a big testament to Boots and the team spirit that saw us take the lead again rather than buckle. With just under 10 minutes to go a corner was drilled into the area by Croz, and Fletch caused havoc in the defence leaping to get his head to it. The defence managed to clear but only to Subo who drilled a low finish from around the penalty spot. During this time Griff came on to replace Ash who had done a lot of running down the wing. Unfortunately Boots hearts were again broken as the Elwes midfielder managed to ride a challenge by Ian outside the area and stroked a low finish into the bottom left corner with under 5 minutes to go.
Boots had to pick themselves up again for Extra Time and legs were most definitely starting to hurt. It was tiredness that in the end did us as they scored 2 in the final 5 minutes, however it could have been so different when the best chance of the additional 30 minutes fell to Pete, set through by Ian (I think) but the goalie pulled off a great save when the score was still level. Their first came from a cross that found their player free at the back post and his scuffed shot bounced off the turf and other the despairing Phil. Their second came as Boots chased the game and were outnumbered on a break after a long Boots freekick. Special mention must go to Pete for his poor attempt to foul their player, managing to end up in a heap and the player running through on goal, and Griffin who did manage to hack their player down in the area, the only problem being that there were another 3 still standing to finish the move off!
So it ended in disappointment, but again I believe there are positives to take out of the performance. Against a team a league above we played some good stuff, particularly in the first half where we were very much on top, and then the spirit the team showed to go 3-2 up after being pinned back to 2-2 was excellent, as we could have easily buckled at that point.
We were guilty in the second half when the pressure was against us of sitting deeper and deeper and letting our passing game fall apart, resorting to long balls for Pete and Luke to chase and that was a shame, if we had got a third after half time it would have killed them off for sure.
Man of the Match : Subo for his commanding display at the back.
Kit:Crozier.
