Bidding for a hat trick of cup final apearances we were strangely subdued as we started the match. The kick off was as per pre-routine but in the 6th minute there were some early warning signs when Steve switched off instead of pressing a loose ball in the box that never went dead. In the 7th Josh skyed a long range effort when better options were available. In the 11th the 'keeper came out on top of a 1 on 1 with Steve and again we switched off and spurned the chance to press a loose ball in the box. Within a minute Neil and Steve were showing signs of gelling as Neil laid Steve in but he shot into the side netting. In the 15th minute we went ahead 1-0 when Kim and Glen decided to press together and forced a panic back pass which beat the 'keeper.
Our failure to lift our game was evident when Lee was careless in possession, we conceded a cheap corner as a result and gifted them a free header for 1-1. In the 30th minute Sam, one of only a few on the tempo of the game, struck across Kim's lay off and the ball flew into the net restoring our slender lead at 2-1. Just 5 minutes later we failed to delay their freekick and failed to pick up a free man who peeled off in the 18 yard box and was given an unchallenged chance to square the game at 2-2. We hit straight back when Chippy's free kick found Steve in acres in the box but when a right foot was needed he favoured his left peg and the attempt drifted over and wide. As the half was drawing to a close we found some movement and rhythm but too late to turn the half.
Steve and Lee made way for Jack and Olli at the restart - in truth it could have been any two of 5 as Kim struggled to get the ball out of his feet and ahead of him we seemed to lack urgency and cohesion - perhaps what we were trying to achieve was playing on our minds but we lacked a bit of chemistry as a unit. The opening 20 of the second period saw us dominate possession around the middle of the park but we continued to cause our own problems, failing to press in numbers in the right areas and failing miserably to win any second ball so we were constantly clearing our lines as they hit us with counters from a midfield area which we usually dominate.
The introduction of Kyle in the 20th minute tipped the balance and within minutes of him entering the field Kim and Josh combined, Josh playing a sliderule pass, one touch from Kyle and bang goal. No fuss, no messing one chance one goal - well done Kyle, that goal settled our nerves. In the 25th minute 16 passes preceded Olli's attempt which just went over and it was more of the same as we saw out the game in comfortable style. In the 37th minute we decided to press in their box and Kim capitalised as he lashed the ball in from close range to make it 4-2. In the 40th Jack and Sam were involved in a slick left sided interchange which opened them up like a can of sardines and Olli duly obliged with a tidy close range finish for 5-2. In the 41st minute Jack pressed the left side three times in quick succession and he was unlucky that the final ball didnt quite break right but what went before will be needed in spades on Tuesday night.
We now face 4 final games including three show piece games v Heath Rovers, the League Cup Final, The Bert Yabsley Final and - our final league game which looks like being a title decider. In between we have the distraction of a return league fixture v SBW Crowns. EVERYONE will be needed in these 4 titanic games - turn up as a unit on Tuesday as we set about The Association Business.
