Steamers make it through to the last 32 of the Berks and Bucks Cup after a narrow 5-4 victory against Loddon Valley Rangers
Steamers made easy work of Loddon in the 1st Half as the goals flooded in. Bert Ryan got us off with a screamer from 25 yards with a first time shot from Jonny Clifford’s assist. The keeper made no effort to dive as he was never getting there.
DCS passed the ball with ease and looked divisions above Loddon who resorted to the long ball to try and create an attack.
Jonny scored 2 great headers to take us 3 up. His second was a great team move as the ball was moved from the back out wide to JP who supplied a cross for Jonny to find the bottom left.
JP quickly made it 4 when Bert Ryan put him through with just the keeper to beat. The sharp shooter arrowed one into the corner of the net.
Loddon got themselves a goal after spotting Lee slightly off his line and lobbing the keeper from 30 yards. It was uncelebrated as Loddon were obviously disappointed with their performance.
Before half-time Ide scored for his 3rd successive game. Jonny put him through for a classic Ide goal from the left finding the bottom right corner.
Half-time saw a dramatic change in both DC Steamer’s performance and Loddon’s. Loddon made the perfect response with a quick goal and Ben Morris gave away a blatant penalty minutes later to leave them trailing by 2 goals with almost 40 minutes on the clock. Steamers spent much of the next 15 minutes camped in their box to try and put a halt to Loddon’s goal streak. The pressure eventually paid off and Loddon were only a goal behind with 20 to play!
Steamers created only a few scoring opportunities in the 2nd half but did manage to hang on the ball better to put an end to the relentless attacks. Loddon’s corners were all on the money and Lee had to be at the top of his game to keep some efforts out.
Steamers dragged themselves over the finish line after playing a great 1st half and an abysmal 2nd. Steamers need to make sure they don’t repeat a similar performance as they will get punished.
Credit to Loddon who at half-time looked dead and buried put in a hearty 2nd half, almost saw them through.
Maybe not a match to pick a MOTM but Jonny scored 2 superb headers and got 2 assists. Bert also played well and scored the goal of the game. A 1st half of heroes followed by a 2nd half of zeros.
LVC’s Steamers are now through to the last 32 with a game against Polonia Reading awaiting them in a months' time.
