The UNITS took on fellow Division One side West Hagley in the Quarter Finals of the Worcs Junior Cup at a soggy Brown Westhead. Conditions were far from ideal but the pitch was passed playable, Cuzer found himself without Pountney, DJ Ben and Tom plus the long term injured as we had 15 at our disposal and lined up: Mala, Chinner, Gilo, Taylor, Millette, Coco, Jim, Azza, Baker, Seeks and Trigger. Bench was Dan Butler, Newts, Ashton and Kie Watters.
The UNITS started well in difficult conditions and were playing some good stuff as we took the game to a spirited Hagley early on. Seeks and Azza both dragged shots wide in the opening 10 minutes and the UNITS rattled the post as the game flowed towards the Hagley goal. 20 minutes in the game was goal less yet Hagley had created little, one shot wide from just inside the box was their best effort with Mala untroubled. Seeks again went close from a fine through ball from Jim yet on 25 the UNITS took the lead from an unlikely source. Tayl's sent in a long throw and the ball was competed for on the front stick, Trigger back healing the ball in the melee which found its way to Chinner who poked into the top corner from6 yardsout to put the UNITS ahead.
To be fair the remaining 20 minutes up to half time we were superb and raced into a 3-0 half time lead. Paul Taylor pinged a 30 yard ball to Seeks on 30 minutes; Seeks carried the ball from just inside the Hagley half, beat three men before firing past the keeper from 10 yards out a wonderful solo goal in conditions which did his game or his bout of flu no favours. 5 minutes later it was Triggers turn to notch, again Taylor sent forward a raking ball from defence and Trigger did well to gamble on the shoulder of the centre half, get there before the keeper who he rounded and steadied himself and slotted into the bottom corner to put the UNITS 3-0 up. We nearly grabbed a fourth on half time when Azza forced the visiting keeper into a fine save but the UNITS came in with a comfortable 3-0 cushion.
HT UNITS 3 v 0 West Hagley
Cuzer for the second home game running congratulated the lads on a superb first half, playing some good stuff in poor conditions. No changes were made with the message very much more of the same. We started the second half well and Azza was within inches of getting on a Coco cross as we almost added a fourth. On 55 minutes Hagley had a bit of fortune and managed to claw one back, their left back did well and got past Chinner and hung up a cross which caught the wind and sailed into the far corner beating Mala and with no Hagley player anywhere near it. All of a sudden Hagley fancied their chances but in fairness the UNITS were still playing well but on 60 minutes it was 3-2, this time again down our right they did well and as the UNITS got drawn to the ball the cross came in and just evaded the outstretched arm of Mala and their midfielder was on hand to tap home from 6 yards, game on.
Cuzer made two changes in quick succession and had to abandon the planned half time changes when Newt replaced Jim and Ashton replaced Trigger. Despite it being 3-2 we were playing well yet credit to Hagley who were fighting for everything. Azza really should have given us a much needed cushion on 70 minutes when Seeks missed a fine low Coco cross but Azza took a touch, steadied himself yet scuffed his shot against the post from 8 yards when he should have scored. Shortly after Kie Watters replaced Seeks in a like for like change. The Hagley forward with the council hair cut headed wide from 8 yards in probably their best chance to level up yet the UNITS still created plenty, Chinner almost got a second but the ball ran away from him in the box and then Azza forced their keeper into a fine full length save from a 20 yard screamer. However, from the resulting corner Coco whipped in a delightful ball which Tayl's ran onto and bulleted a header into the back of the net from 6 yards to put the game beyond doubt as the UNITS went 4-2 up.
So, the UNITS progress into the semi-final in what was a good performance in difficult conditions against spirited opposition.
Man of the match went to Paul Taylor who was superb in defence, got two assists and a goal to continue his current excellent form.
Next up UNITS take on Worcs Prem champions WCT Raiders in the semi-final of the Nursing Cup.
