So after 3 weeks of trying we were at Home to Eastleigh Reds in the Hampshire Cup Semi Final, it was not the best time to play such a vital game due to being a little out of sorts as we have had our focus, momentom and form all put to one side by the freezing weather and having not played for over 3 weeks.
The lads went into the game high in confidence though dispite the set backs and were just happy to be back out there playing.
We new Eastleigh were going to be a tough team to break down there is never an easy game at this stadge on the competition, so we all had to be on fine form and ready for a battle.
Unfortunatly it didnt start to plan, Eastleigh stuck the ball high into the area having it cleared for a throw, this was not delt with failing to clear not just the first attempt but also the second, with the ball falling to there winger who slipped it across goal for there unmarked striker to tap home to make it 1-0 on just 2mins.
You could almost feel the tention grow, with oh no not Sailsbury from last year all over again ringing in the ears of some and this was just the opening mins.
We did power back strong though, winning a number of corners, but just couldnt get that shot on goal it was like Eastleigh had all 11 men behind the ball at times, they sank to 5 at the back after getting the early lead which meant it being hard for both Max and Kieron to get into the game down the wings.
But we were not going to panic and be forced into any changes to our system, we just had to stay focused and be patient and just hope we took what ever chances come our way.
Half way through the first half we had to replace Zack with Joel after picking up a knock to the back of his ankle, it was a big lose as he has been in great goal scoring form.
Are first real chance came in the 20min Alfie finaly found space for Kieron down the right who found Joel with his cross, his touch on fell to Max who lifed the ball towards goal, it looked all but in until the keeper some how got a hand to it and clawed it out for a corner, god knows how it wasnt 1-1.
We went in 1-0 down at the break but that was thanks to the defence staying strong a couple of fine block and tackles from BK and Jack who was carrying an injury aswell as Billy for being forced into a fine save from an Eastleigh counter attack.
We made no changes at half time, we just had to dig a little deeper and find that self beleif as we created but missed good chances mainly from all the corners we had in the first half.
The second half started just the way we wanted it to start, Max and Kieron were pushing further forward and starting to find more space, Alfie, Cam and the die hard that is Smithy were getting on top of the midfeild and we had Eastleigh pinned into there own half for 90% of the second half.
But after each chance came and went you started to realise this just was not going to be our day, Alfie came closs from a free kick and then Kieron was through on goal but there chasing defender did enough to put him off and then Max was put through on goal by Cam but there keeper was quick off his line to make a great save.
Zack replaced Joel and Sam replaced Ryan and within moments we had a life line Zack burst into the box and was brought down, but with him being a little low in confidence he handed the duty to Cam who put himself forward to take the spot kick, it kind of all went quiet up stepped Cam but he miss hit his shot, unable to get the right kind of conection he wanted it was saved by there keeper, but credit to him and the team they got straight back into the game and didnt let it faze them.
Josh then replaced ollie and we went for broke pushing Jack up into midfeild and leaving three at the back, was a risk but would rather lose 2-0 going for it than sticking to what we was doing we had to create more chances and try and break down there tight defence, but just every time we did all we found was there goal keeper in fine form, Kieron had an effort saved an inch higher or slightly to the left or right and it was in, but lady luck was on there side today and no matter what we did it just came down to the matter of inches any other day we would of hit 4 or 5.
Then against the run of play we were court out by a swift counter attack with the three at the back being opened up there striker went through one on one but Billy was quick and alert racing off his line and flew in with a game saving block, that put us straight back up the other end with Kieron winning probly are 20th corner of the game, Alfie lifed it into the box but Jacks header was straight at there keeper.
Jack coursed a few problems in corners in the second half but every flick on either found an Eastleigh defender or the inform keeper.
Credit to Eastleigh even though i didnt like there time wasting tactis during the game they defended well and were tough to break down, but overall the better team didnt get the break through and thats the cruel world of football as the lads deserved atleast extra time with there dominate performance, that was praised by everyone watching including the opponents.
That set aside we wish Eastleigh all the best in the final where they face Sailsbury City who beat are rivals WPTs 2-0.
Well done lads im proud of you today you took the defet like champs and lets just focus know on the league and cup double.
Man of the Match could of gone to anyone as they left everything out on that pitch but it went to Jack he had a big injury before the game but soildered on for the sake of his team, through the pain barrier and refused to give up or give in.
