Starting Line Up
Evans
Glenn, Rooke, Wilkins
Treadwell, Short, Thomas, Else, Wall
Anderson, Harris
Subs
Thompson, Mayers, Sayer
Smithswood have an early chance as Anderson's cross is deflected against the post. CPA then go close from a cross but it goes just over the bar.
GOAL 1-0 A great one two between Short and Thomas brings out a great save from the keeper under pressure from Thomas and Anderson. Harris picked it up just inside the area, faked one way and turned the defender the other and curled the ball sublimely into the top corner.
Smithswood restricted CPA early on to long range shots which were not troubling Evans goal. A big clearance from the back did manage to beat the defence but CPA fired wide.
A slick move between Anderson and Short won a corner just after but CPA cleared their lines well. Harris then whipped a great ball in which was half cleared to Wall who slipped Thomas through but his quality cross was just ahead of everyone and it flashed across the goal but Treadwell kept the pressure on by keeping it in and crossing into the box but it was cleared again as Smithswood piled the pressure on.
A nervous moment came just after half an hour as CPA had the ball in the net but the referee disallowed it for a push on Evans. Smithswood then created another chance after a quality move by Short and Harris down the right, which won a throw in. Treadwell took it quick to Anderson who cleverly slid the ball into the path of the oncoming Else up who drilled a vicious shot just wide of the goal.
GOAL 2-0 Smithswood finally converted one of their many chances through Wall who took on the CPA defence with a silky run making defenders miss their tackles. When it looked like there was one too many defenders for him to beat, the ball deflected to Anderson who buried it in the goal.
Straight after the goal Wall got behind their defence again after great work from Else in the middle of the park but his cross went across the goal and out of play. Wall in particular was looking a big threat as there were lots of positives for the Smithswood manager.
More great work this time by Thomas taking on the full back and crossing again but Short shoots just wide of the goal as Smithswood come close to the third goal.
GOAL 2-1 Smithswood go to sleep at the back and are punished as CPA get through and cross the ball to an unmarked striker in the box who calmly gets them back in the game just before half time.
Half-Time 2-1
Smithswood look to come out firing as Thomas puts another quality ball over the top of the back line for Anderson to run onto but his shot is just wide. Anderson then battles down the left and is constantly being fouled but is given nothing by the referee and is finally brought down by a bad challenge. Great battling from Anderson to win his team a free kick which unfortunately comes to nothing.
Else then goes close as he is fed the ball and runs onto it from deep meeting it with a Rooney-esque 35 yard bullet shot that is just over.
GOAL 2-2. All Smithswood’s early pressure is undone again as they give away a foul just outside the area. From the free kick Evans makes a great save but it drops to the feet of their striker who taps it in to level the game and give CPA the momentum.
52 mins Sub Thompson for Treadwell
Thomas managed to beat the full back again and work the ball into Harris who had to shoot with his left foot again but this time puts it just high
66 mins Sub Mayers for Wall
Rooke puts a ball over the defence to Thomas who calmly slides in Harris who makes a great run but he shoots just over the bar.
GOAL 2-3 Smithswood worst nightmare happens as CPA put another cross in that beats the defence and their unmarked striker buries it in the net
Smithswood look to get back on level terms as Mayers wins a corner with some great work against two defenders but the corner comes to nothing
CPA counter attack in the last part of the game and break through forcing Evans to save twice but they calmly see the last ten minutes out.
81 mins Sub Sayer for Wilkins
90 Yellow Rooke for dissent
Full Time 2-3
