The UNITS took on Netherton in their last game in the subsidiary cup, for a night game we did well to have 15 available as we lined up Mozza, Chinner, Tonka, Gilo, Coco, Baker, Ryan, Taylor, Jim, Winny & Lewis Subs were the returning Luke, Leon, Rob & Clarkey
The UNITS, fresh from 3 wins on the spin started confidently moving the ball well and dominating possession but clear chances were at a premium as our visitors were solid with 10 behind the ball and leaving a loan isolated pacey striker as their outlet Jim had a shot blocked within 10 minutes when it looked goal bound and then Coco put in two dangerous crosses one inches away from the outstretched Lewis and then Jim close to poking home as we dominated the game but struggled to break the deadlock
Netherton showed little in the way of attacking intent but on 20 minutes had the games best chance when their striker got away from Tonka & Gilo but Mozza made a great save with his legs when the striker was clean through
5 minutes later the UNITS broke the deadlock when Tonka did well to break up an attack, carry the ball 40 yards from the back, beating two men before he slipped the ball wide to Winny who put in a great deep cross which Lewis volleyed home from 6 yards to give the UNITS a 1-0 lead
This settled the UNITS and they controlled the rest of the half playing good football but not having the tempo to their play to open up the visitors who packed the defence and made life difficult for us
HT UNITS 1 v 0 Netherton
Cuzer's message at HT was to raise the intensity and add some zip to our possession to try and create better chances
We stated the 2nd half on the front foot, again playing good football but as long as it stayed 1-0 Netherton were always in the game On 55 minutes Cuzer replaced Jim who picked up a knock with Clarkey in a like for like swap Clarkey was quickly into the action when a spell of UNITS pressure resulted in two shots blocked before the ball found it's way to Clarkey who hung up a lovely ball to the back stick Taylor found himself with space and drilled the ball in low, beating the keeper but his shot rattled into the side netting Rob then replaced Winny & Leon replaced Chinner with 60 gone
With 15 left Lewis raced clear of the defence after some good play from the impressive Ryan but the visiting keeper made a fine save when you thought Lewis would have given us the two goal cushion we craved
Mozza was a relative spectator in goal but you felt Netheron would create one chance and it came with 10 left when from a half cleared corner their midfielder hit a goal bound effort which Taylor did well to block for a corner and the UNITS dealt with the corner that followed and preserved their lead Rob had a couple of efforts blocked late on as we almost added to our lead but in the end another win in the subsidiary cup for the UNITS as we top our group and now await our semi final opponents as we secure home advantage
Man of the match went to Ryan Smith who put a great shift in the middle of the park and kept possession well on a night when the UNITS were far from their best but got the job done
