F.C. Lions of Wycombe made it two first round cup exits out of two in this mornings 2-5 reverse against Division 2 side, Naphill Mens. In a game marred by a red card for F.C. Lions midfielder Keegan Casey, the Lions again let themselves down inside the last 10 minutes of the game to add another defeat to their overall record.
There was a first start and debut for left back David Grabe, who had his game cut short 5 minutes into the second half through injury. but had done enough in the time he was on the pitch to suggest he will have a big part to play for the rest of the season, and give regular left back, Dan Stacey a bit of competition for the number 3 shirt. There was also recalls for Andrew Harris, who ended the game Man of the Match after a thoroughly outstanding performance, and Alan Davies, rested for last weeks 6-3 league win against H-Town, and a start for striker Ben Phippen, who came into the starting XI to replace John Tilbury, who is away on holiday.
The first half was a game of defence's and there was hardly anything to write home about from either side in the opening 45 minutes, with limited chances for both teams. The best chances probably falling to the team in Orange, who shaded the "shots off target" column. The Lions best chances falling to Scott Sharples who shanked wide from 18 yards, and Jake Sherwin who fired narrowly wide from a similar distance. However 'keeper Tom Steven's kept the scores level with a fantastic reaction save near the end of the half when it seemed easier for the Naphill striker to score.
The whistle blew to end the period and it was a case of "more of the same" from the Lions, who had looked strong in defence, something they hadn't looked in recent games. Defender Simon Thomas came off with a suspected back injury to be replaced in a like-for-like swap with Luke Bond.
It wasn't until the second half that the game came to life, and the first goal of the game going to the away team with the Naphill striker holding off a defensive challenge before beating Stevens with a low effort. 1-0.
Shortly after this, the impressive David Grabe had to be replaced by striker Alan Davies, after tweaking a groin muscle, and Carter was forced into a tactical reshuffle, moving midfielder Keegan Casey to left back and Carter himself filling in wide right. Casey initially opposed this decision and a few choice words were subsequently exchanged between Carter and Casey, before the latter reluctantly moved across the field to take up his new position.
Immediately after the goal, Skipper Sharples and co were ordered to "keep their heads up" and keep going, and they did just this, grabbing the game's equaliser through Ben Phippen in the 65th minute. Jake Sherwin had sent a defensive clearance the length of the field which Phippen watched like a hawk, and then took advantage of a goalkeeper and defender mix-up, to roll into an empty net from 6 yards out. This was Phippen's 3rd goal of the season in 4 appearances, and he is showing exactly why the management expect big, big things of the striker this season.
Moments after this, defender Scott West was on the end of what first appeared to be a stamp, and the game was stopped for several minutes while the right back recovered from the challenge. This incident and the failure to warrant a deserved yellow card was the catalyst in what then proceeded to be a running battle between referee Hurst, and a few of the Lions players who had felt very aggrieved with the lack of punishment for such a strong challenge. With several players reprimanded by the referee for protesting the decision minutes after it took place.
Forward Alan Davies came closest to putting the Lions 2-1 in front when his half volley from 25 yards rebounded off the crossbar with 'Keeper Kofi well beaten. This is the bit of luck that the Lions have found impossible to get on their side all season, and minutes later the game was turned on it's head when Keegan Casey was adjudged to have fouled a Naphill striker inside the area and the whistle was blown. The kicker stepped up and fired confidently past Stevens into the top right hand corner.
The last minutes of the game then descended into a living nightmare as the majority of the Lions players seemed caught up in a vicious circle with the referee who refused to control the game and officiate correctly. With every obvious handball and foul not given, the referee was met with a wall of protests until eventually a "choice word or two" too many by Keegan Casey resulted in Hurst calling the defender over and producing a straight red card.
This lead to a complete defensive break down and the Lions conceded a further 3 goals. A late consolation from striker Will Carter, scoring a rare header from a looping Sherwin cross, proved to be little more than that, and the referee blew to end the game.
The way the Lions seem to abandon all their previous hard work in the final 10 minutes, seems to be a recurring trait, and this gives manager Carter and his coaching team something to work on in the weeks ahead.
All in all, the Lions can be proud of matching a team playing two divisions higher themselves for 80 minutes, but ultimately the lack of discipline by certain members of the team is very disappointing and needs to be addressed.
To cap off a bad morning, the Lions now await fines for infringing several rules both before and after the game. The words "pedantic referee" and "league revenue" springs to mind...
