JONES ROAD WMC 2 V 1 HILL TOP RANGERS
This was going to be a tough cup match, with Hilltop having a decent start to there division 7 season and Jones Road still improving on there new start but, in order to have a good cup run theses are games your gonna have to play and play well so, keep ball, creativity in the final third and work rate was the order of play for the day.
The match got under way and Jones Road started strong, the passing was great from back to front, through the middle and finally the width of the pitch was being used with effect. The wingers were finally seeing plenty of the ball and some nice delieverys in the final third were being supplied. Whenever Hilltop ever tried to go on the attack thereselves, the defensive line was superb. Defenders listening to others calls and each one helping out the next and the offside trap was being playing fantastic. Which helped Jones Road to pile on the pressure.
Finally after a few efforts on goal and some nice crosses from all areas, another nice one-two down the line was played, Lewis was in behind there defense and popped off a shot at a slight angle, the keeper palmed the ball out, where a very busy working Ben Thatcher was in perfect posistion to slot the ball away for a nice 1v0, a well deserved goal and a deserved lead for Jones Road.
Chances and creativity from all areas of the pitch was a pleasure to see and solid working from all showed that we all wanted to get a good cup run going. A 1v0 lead going into half time showed this.
Second half got under way and again Jones Road started well, Hilltop Rangers were improving from there first half performance. But, again a lovely ball out wide behind the Hilltop defense saw Jones Road on the attack, a nice ball was put into the box where Macca headed in passed the keeper. 2v0 and Jones Road now were gaining momentum.
Then shortly after the goal, saw Sam getting chopped down by two Hilltop Players. Some aggressive provoking from Hilltop and some unfortunate Retailiation from Jones Road saw a player from each team shown the red card. This seemed to distrupt us and seemed to somehow give an advantage to Hilltop, they came at us then for half hour and seem to gain control of the game. A goal was then conceeded and with still plenty of time to play could of seen this game go into extra time.
But, huge credit to every member of the team, everyone on the pitch was giving 110% effort to the end, chased back on every ball and worked hard. Everyone who was on the side done there bit, by giving encouragement and advice throughout the remaining time. A squad performance indeed.
With Hilltop hitting the post in the final few minutes and JonesRoad giving a final few attacks on the break still could of seen this game go either way. But, releif when the Final whistle blew, knowing now a quarter final draw and the start of a good cup run. Fantastic squad performance and now the bar has been set for effort and football in all future games now. Credit to all.
QUARTER FINAL DRAW: (teams division giving in brackets)
JONES ROAD WMC FC (8) V AFC SNEYD (8) or O.C.N F.C (8)
BRADLEY (8) or PYLE COCK (8) V CHURCHILL (7) or SPREAD EAGLE (8)
MOSELEY PARK (7) V MORETON ARMS (7)
WOMBOURNE STAG (7) V GOSPEL OAK (8) or NEWBRIDGE (7)
