Our first game since November saw us at home to Underwood Villa in the Knockout Cup, which was actually a reversed away game. After 9 weeks off, you could have forgiven the players if they had started a little slowly, however we were actually out of the blocks quite quickly and out a lot of early pressure on the visitor’s goal. A thunderous shot from Corie, just 7 minutes in, beat the keeper and crashed down off the underside of the bar. Was it in? I couldn’t tell from where I was standing...and the ref didn’t give it.
Underwood took the lead on 15 minutes when a free-kick from 25 yards was powered into the top corner. That lead was doubled in the 22nd minute. A ball was played out to the left wing, behind Chiv who was outpaced by the winger and his crisp shot nestled in the right corner of the net.
Manor kept their heads up and got a deserved goal on 28 minutes. Dom launched a throw into the box which reached Simon, who’s quick turn and shot, took a couple of ricochets before crossing the line. We had a couple more chances before the break with Corie and Simon going close but e reached half-time 2-1 down.
The second half was only 2 minutes old when we conceded a 3rd goal. A corner was sent to the far post and Adam failed to keep hold of the downward header. There was a bit of a scramble and the ball was poked home.
The game then swung one way then the other with chances at both ends. Underwood looked particularly dangerous from corners with two chances that should have been put away. Chiv and Raffy had been switched and Raffy was containing their left winger easily, as well as covering the centre as Wraggy pushed forward. On 56 minutes Wraggy gained possession on the edge of the Manor penalty area and charged into the opposition’s half. He lofted a diagonal ball to the edge of the other penalty area. Simon ran through, controlled it on the run with one touch, before volleying over the keeper. Superb stuff!
We continued to put pressure on Underwood. Dom’s throw-ins were causing all sorts of problems and twice we went close to scoring when Corie and then Zac got on the end of them. Ollie had troubled their right back more as the game went on and broke away and fired over a rocket of a cross and Simon was just a foot away from completing his hat-trick....well actually a HAND! Can’t believe he didn’t get booked.
Man of the Match was Jack Rathbone, he was immense! All in all, it was a good team performance against good opposition, which ended with a disappointing result.
