A much better battling performance saw Teamstats progress to the next round in a cup that they definitely have the chance of winning.
It was a completely different start to the game with everyone up for it from the outset, with us dictating the opening 20 minutes without scoring, despite a thunderous effort from John which just went over the bar early on. Unfortunately Northbrook took the lead with a scrappy goal only for Loft to equalise just over a minute later. A good through ball from Stevo caused all sort of problems with the keeper and centre back getting in each others way for Loft to smash a great finish from outside the box to make it 1-1.
It was a good response to the goal and we started causing more problems. Bell was flying, winning some big headers and Loft and Pagey were playing some intricate passes in and around the box with Pagey hitting the post with a scuffed effort and we looked solid at the back. Unfortunately, a defensive error then meant that we went into the break a 2-1 down, but the belief was still there within the team that we would go on to win. It's important we keep this belief throughout the season, we are much stronger mentally than we used to and this will not be the last time that we will go into the break behind.
The second half started as well as the first with us doing all the running. We looked very solid at the back and I can't remember too many chances for Northbrook in the second half. However for all our domination we couldn't seem to score the goals, despite having numerous efforts. John then got injured, a nasty tackle that looks to have put him out for a while so Al moved into CM alongside Bell. Not long after, when the game looked like getting away from us Jeeves replaced Pagey and was on his toes as soon as he came on.
After what seemed to be 2 minutes, a good through ball from Daryl saw Jeeve's break and at full pace he placed the ball with the edge of his boot over the keeper and into the top corner, a great finish and game on!
The game looked to be heading into extra time, when a long throw from Al and a flick on from Bell caused all sorts of problems, Loft then played an amazing header dummy (fell over in slow motion) for Jeeves again to capitalise on a defensive mix up to mean a good cup victory for the lads.
A win was needed this week and we certainly seem to love the cup games. However we must carry some of this form back into the league and clock the points up to make things a little easier.
