Town went into this huge cup semi-final on the back of an impressive 4-1 win at FC Khalsa and were high on confidence. It was always going to be tough against the League Leaders without skipper Tom Silk (holiday), Sam Jayes (ankle), Ross Proud (back), Scott Hardy (suspended), Danny Smith (work), Oliver Preston (away) and Danny Toone (holiday) but there was still enough quality to do a job.
The game started scrappily with obvious nerves from both sides. It was Blaby who made the early breakthrough when after 9 minutes the Town backline were caught asleep allowing Wheeler through to slot past Smith in goal. Town were nearly caught again with a carbon copy goal but this time Wheeler was flagged offside. 5 minutes later Town were let off the hook again when a free header at the far post was put wide. Town were not in the game and were struggling to come to terms with an awful pitch. Then after 30 minutes Aubrey closed down the keeper, won the ball and with an open goal from 6 yards somehow skimmed his effort off the top of the bar. It was the only chance of a poor first half from Town. HT B&W 1-0 LTFC.
With the slope, wind and the management’s words ringing in their ears the stage was set for Town to take advantage in the second half but it never materialised. S.Ramkissoon and Frost ran themselves into the ground but there wasn’t a lot elsewhere. Certain players went missing and some just didn’t look interested and there was a clear lack of effort and commitment from some. The ball was given away on numerous occasions but with that being said Blaby were clearly happy to defend and weren’t creating many chances. Indeed the keeper nearly punched into his own net but it was headed off the line. Mcdade had a chance from 20 yards but his effort dribbled through to the keeper’s hands. The killer blow came on 68 minutes when Smith parried an effort straight to an unmarked forward to tap home to make it 2-0. Town completely folded and created nothing from there on in. The game ended with Town crashing out at the worst possible time but they have no-one to blame but themselves in a truly awful performance. They must somehow pick themselves up for the remaining 6 league games but there is no doubt this performance was tough to take.
