With an almost full quota to select from the Bexlians away fixture, G.Wright's worst nightmares all came at once come Monday when the rejuvenated central defence partnership of Sam Head and Adam Gonzalez both ruled themselves out of selection for the first Cup game of the season.
Following this another two of the squad failed late fitness tests on Match day, Fizz and Reece Hay, with tonsilitis and Chronic Hay Syndrome respectively.
Having said this the starting XI appeared very strong on paper with the Blues welcoming back the left-feet of Harry Barber and Sam Friskey as well as Joe Townsend joining Elliott Wright as the deputies for the sicknotes.
All of these players coming into the fray all looking to keep hold of their shirt for the next run of games.
The game, as is the Blues nasty habit, started far too slowly with the players passive and indecisive, however with both teams playing with lone strikers it began a battle between target men, with, biased aside, the Blues dealing aptly with the Stansfeld forward with the opposing left-winger the yellows only tricky threat, in the first 20.
In an underlying positive, the Blues, when decisions were made for them, tackles to be made, headers to be won and the ball to be stolen, the Blues showed mettle and spirit. The glaring negative was the distinct lack of communication between the banks of four and forward line, and this dovetailed with the poor decision making from the back and lack of composure on the ball heaped pressure on the home team to break the deadlock in a must win cup game.
The chances came few and far between for once, with Tudor's football being far too slow to punish the visitors' lack of ambition.
A few scares deriving from Elliott dwelling on the ball in the wrong position and the bobble getting the better of him far too many times, and too often cheap with the ball. Without a few well fought headers and timely challenges the makeshift centre back's game was heading for misery. Without some acrobatic saves and strong handling from Reiss between the sticks, the Blues could have been undeservedly down at the break.
Half-time offered a reprieve and a re-think, and although the Tudor were the strong favourites to go on to win it the Blues stilll hadn't scored, but with Connor keeping the yellows threat quiet and a meaty couple of challanges from Joe Townsend forcing the centre forward off early in the second half, the Blues grew very slowly in confidence with the full backs offering great options, particularly Harry Barber, who's cute clips down the line had the awkward full back turned on a number of occasions.
Paul Votier dominated both aerially and on the ground without threat from start to finish, however he cut an isolated figure at times with Jordan's endeavour to support Martin often leaving Nick with two midfielders to deal with. Jolley, who up until now has been a consistent threat often looked frustrated at his lack of joy down the right, often opting to whip an early ball in instead of alternative options inside. This epitomised Tudor's ethos throughout the game, for the first time the effort was there, the class wasn't.
The game needed impetus, and was growing staler by the second, G.Wright chose to replace Martin with the fresh legs of willing runner Stefan Moore in a like for like replacement.
Soon after, a change in personnel meant a slight change in shape with Lewis replacing Nick, who would have been disappointed to lose out, as it could have been any one of 3 midfielders, and Sam Friskey moving into his favoured role of central midfield.
This paid off within five minutes, with Lewis a more willing line-hugging winger than Friskey, and Harry Barber offering a more than satisfactory over-lap on a number of times. Lewis was direct and forced his way past the right back who subsequently began kicking the ball out in fright.
In a glimpse of one of the handful of team moves remembered in the game, the Blues turned defense in to attack and won the first ball at the back and delivered the ball to the frequent outlet Babs at left back, who fizzed in to Lewis's feet who popped it inside for Friskey who cut the defense in two handed the ball back to Lewis who rolled the ball to the fully overlapped Harry Barber who hugged the byline who skipped past a rash challenge from the centre half , waited well, and flashed the ball across the goal for Jolley to bundle in.
A deserved end to an excellent team move, and 1-0 up was deserved in spite of the shortcomings of the home side. Euphoria set in and Tudor cut an improved shape, and were eager to kill the game off even though the lead was taken so late on.
The yellows had no choice but to attack with nothing to lose and everything to gain, they lost discipline and often left four up front, the Tudor back line did well in resistingm but too often caught on the counter with so many left upfield. The home side relinquished a corner late on only to see the initial clearance hang in the air with Elliott, with eyes only for the ball, at the edge of the box looking to clear it with everything he had left, the winger Lewis gave him a late command for the ball to be left to him, with the mix up causing the ball to drop limply a matter of yards away and Stansfeld to get a shot away, magnificently saved by Reiss but he was helpless for the 15 yard rebound.
1-1 with no-time to atone for such a poor mistake, the 30 mins extra time came and passed with both appearing to play for the penalties.
With penalties, the order was given for the takers, the order being Captain Paul Votier, Stefan, Jolley, Friskey than Lewis.
All penalties were scored by both teams up until the visitors final penalty, Reiss, who had been in fine form, saved it, spilled it, and then smothered to ensure the win for the home side and guaranteeing them safe passage into the next round.
Thank you Reiss.
