Olympic Sports 0 v 1 TS UNITS FC
The UNITS traveled to Lea Castle to take on Olympic Sports from Div 1 in the 1st round of the Senior cup
A rare morning where Cuzer had 16 to choose from and some options, we still had some regulars unavailable but had a strong looking squad at our disposal including new signing Leon Westwood as we lined up Mozza, Clarkey, Chinner, Taylor, Ben, Azza, Ashton, Jim, Gilo, Lewis & Winny Subs were Luke, Trigger, Leon, Rob & Si
The plan was to play attacking football, the line up was certainly selected with this in mind and we started on the front foot asking early questions of OS who themselves looked to get the ball down and play A couple of half chances came and went for Lewis & Winny before Ashton shot wide from the edge of the box, after a bright first 10 the home side then got on top, they were over running us in midfield meaning it was a game of attack v defence for both sides. Paul Taylor made one superb block from a deflected cross which found its way to the wide player in a dangerous position then Mozza made a great save on the angle as the home side pushed to go in front
On 20 minutes however we took the lead with a lovely move, Ashton did well to feed the ball into Winny who found a pocket of space, he spun and played in Lewis who checked inside him marker before calmly finishing past the home keeper to put the UNITS 1-0 up
You would hope we kicked on from here but credit to OS they upped their game and we found ourselves pegged back and playing on the break for the remainder of the half. Mozza again made 2 great saves from clear chances whilst Ben and Tayl's made last ditch challenges as OS felt aggrieved not to level up We still carried a threat on the break, Gilo got to the byeline but his ball was cut out with players queuing up to tap home and Pountney shot into the side netting from 20 yards as we came in at HT 1-0 up having to absorb some pressure
HT Olympic Sports 0 v 1 TS UNITS
Cuzer shuffled the shape 2nd half to try and match up the OS midfield and hopefully we would get on the ball more The home side again started on the front foot, time after time they threw balls into our box from wide areas and deep but credit to the UNITS defense marshaled by the excellent Taylor we got our heads on most things Lewis was a whisker away from increasing our lead from a UNITS breakaway and then the home keeper saved superbly as Lewis was found by Azza's delightful ball only for the keeper to save at Lewis feet when clean through This was rare rest bite though as OS turned the screw and pegged us back, twice in 5 minutes Mozza made world class saves, one especially palming the ball wide from a shot 12 yards out was a superb stop On the hour mark Leon Westwood came on for his debut replacing Chinner with Jim moving wide The pattern didn't change with the home side having the majority of possession but the UNITS capable on the break, Winny had a good chance blocked before Azza shot wide as we kept searching for the 2nd goal The home side them missed the chance of the game when their striker found himself free from a deep cross and headed wide from 8 yards when he should have hit the target Rob then replaced Winny with 15 left in a like for like swap Lewis then danced through the home defense after a swift breakaway but dragged his shot inches wide with the keeper beaten This was Lewis's last action as Trigger replaced him with 10 remaining Still the home side kept coming, Mozza again making a good save through a crowd of players and they then headed over from a corner when well placed as we had to soak up some pressure However the UNITS hung on for a hard fought win against a committed OS side who on the morning certainly deserved to take the tie into extra time but for a change we got the breaks and the result
Man of the match went to Paul Taylor who was superb at the heart of the defense having not played much of late he worked his socks off. PT just edged Mozza who made 3-4 world class saves to preserve our lead
Mozza 9 Clarkey 7 Chinner 7 Gilo 7 Taylor 9* Ben 7 Azza 7 Ashton 7 Jim 7 Winny 7 Lewis 8
Subs Leon 7 Rob 7 Trigger 7
