The Old Malvernians’ saw their final chance of Cup success this season extinguished at the quarter-final stage of the LOB Cup on Saturday; a narrow defeat at Fulham Compton Old Boys ending their interest in the competition.
On a tight, tricky pitch, the OMs struggled to find any real fluency as their normal passing game was stifled by some physical play from the home side, who seemed determined to prove they would be anything but a pushover. Having had the better of the opening exchanges, Fulham Compton took the lead midway through the first half in bizarre circumstances. A long ball over the top of the OM backline didn’t seem to be overly threatening, but a mix up between James Sheppard and Daniel Madden in goal saw the ball ricochet towards an unguarded net. Even then Sheppard was favourite to clear the danger, but the unfortunate right back’s hooked clearance could only find the top corner of his own net.
To Malvern’s credit, they responded well to the setback, as an attacking midfield four of Ayo Afolabi, Alex Richardson, Will Murtagh and Peter Ford looked to support Charlie Gifford and Max Kufner in attack. With time and space on the ball at a premium, Gifford and Kufner found it difficult to create many openings as the two Fulham centre backs’ uncompromising style worked well. The OM’s did grab an equaliser ten minutes before half time as a long throw from Murtagh was headed into the net by the substitute, Freddy Bucknell. Having worked hard to draw level, another defensive error saw Malvern fall behind once more. This time another ball over the top found a Fulham player in acres of space in between Josh Hughes and Sheppard, and as both defenders seem to think the other had it covered, the forward gave Madden no chance to restore their lead.
At half time a tactical reshuffle saw the OM’s abandon their 4-4-2 for the 4-5-1 shape that they have played for most of the season. Craig Wood, so impressive for the Dinks this season, came on to make his debut, and Jake Robbins switched to right back as Sheppard was forced off with a recurrence of a troublesome calf problem. The switch in formation seemed to reinvigorate the visitors, and they were level once more with an almost mirror image of their first goal. This time a long Murtagh throw from the right was headed powerfully into the corner by Bucknell once more, and Malvern were deservedly level once again.
The game became increasingly stretched as legs on both sides tired, and Madden was forced to make several smart saves and Ford hacked one goal bound effort off the line. At the other end Wood had a couple of half chances for Malvern, and Ford hooked a left foot volley just over from the corner of the penalty area with the keeper beaten. As both teams sensed a third goal would win the game, it was the home side who struck, as their captain’s powerful volley from the edge of the area was only palmed away by Madden into the striker’s path, who made no mistake.
Malvern pressed hard in the final few minutes but couldn’t quite fashion a third equaliser, meaning they exit the Cup at the quarter-final stage. They will now be fully focussed on concentrating on league matters, as they look to follow the Dinks’ example and secure promotion, starting with a crucial home game with Aldenham next week.
