We were second best to a very average Grange United side who deservedly snatched away our Yabsley Trophy and who, with returning key players, will pose a very real threat to our Inter Div Final hopes on Wednesday.
There's an old saying "win together and lose together" - we certainly lost together today with a pretty poor and indisciplined performances all across the team. There was a glimmer of early hope in the 3rd minute when Olli set about his task with a purpose, closing and winning the ball in the corner and delivering a decent cross which Jack headed just over. That was probably the only real piece of positive first half play. In the 8th minute Kyle carried on from last week, too slow in possession and losing the ball in a dangerous area. Josh did break in the 10th and the 'keeper spilled his long range effort but neither forward had gambled and the half chance disappeared.
In the middle period of the first half we just couldnt win the ball and when we did have the ball we were guilty of trying too many Hollywood passes (Dazza) or simply failing to release (Olli). In the 17th a suicide ball from Chippy let them in, Revill was wrong footed and they had a simple finish for 1-0. Kim was equally out of sorts and unusually for him came out 2nd best in a series of 50/50s and when he did have the ball at feet he was just too slow to spot a pass. Dazza's poor game was highlighted in the 31st when a wild swipe went wrong and they were almost in for a 2nd. Neil's first half anxiety led to him ignoring Jack's call and for the 3rd time in the half he was challenging his own player for the ball. With the half drawing to a close Kyle, Kim and Olli were all found ball watching, reacting rather than anticipating and they were not the only ones.
We were just as poor after the restart. In the 50th Neil called for a ball he didnt win conceding soft possession, in the 55th Kim failed to get a shot away at the end of a decent run and a minute later Kyle played a blind header inside. In the 58th we got a breakthrough when Mark's long throw caused panic in their defence and Josh pounced on the lose ball to drive home the equaliser. In the 61st Kyle turned inside, lost the ball and conceded a freekick as he tried to recover - we continued to create our own problems. In the 49th Mark and Jack combined to release Josh but he scuffed his shot but the move was encouraging as was the attempted strike.
In the 81st Josh powered home a corner to give us a late 2-1 advantage. With 5 minutes to go as they poured players forward Josh was caught on the ball in our half, they took full advantage and broke forward - we did have chances to show them outside but we committed and dived in giving them a chance to finish from a tight angle.
At 2-2, with our strength and fitness, we should have seen out the game for extra time. Instead Glen played a ball inside to Josh who, with nowhere to go was quickly closed down. Our midfield had lost all shape and discipline chasing a last minute winner we didnt need and with nothing behind Josh this left them to break into the box where Chippy conceded a completely unnessary penalty gifting them a last minute winner.
Aside from our goals their 'keeper never had a real save to make and with Sam missing from the game for long periods we never really penetrated or created any chances - our best opportunities came from set pieces which we need to fully exploit on Wednesday. At the back we were comfortable for much of the game and dealt easily with their long ball game but in the middle of the park where we usually dominate we were second best for long periods of the game.
Its very rare that a club gets an opportunity to redeem itself in a cup final but that's what we have. Its now Grange United that are side looking for a cup treble and we will have raise our game on Wednesday to stop their march.
We haven't become a poor side over the space of a week but collectively we have reverted to believing our own hype. You only get out of any game what you put in. Today we didnt put enough into the game and we have to find the focus and energy to win on Wednesday. Those players below par today have been the rock on which we've built our success and we all have to trust each other to deliver on Wednesday - the treble remains in our own hands. You have to be brave in football - MOM Josh brave with his goals and brave for "showing" all 90.
With this exit our game programme has fallen dramatically. We have a maximum of 4 games to play, three of which will determine whether or not we are treblers or tremblers.
