The 3rd played host to the Old Owens in the 4th round of the cup hoping to continue the good cup run on the 1st pitch.
Pre match issues hampered the preparation for the team as well as some late arrivals. 12.00pm meet up really should mean 12.00pm.
Pitch was playable after the week of unpredictable weather but on 90 minutes the middle of the park was more like a pig farm.
The game started with an excellent chance for Ben Carter which produced a good save from the Old Owen’s keeper. Minutes later the keeper was brought into action again but unfortunately it was straight at him. AP started the game really well and looked comfortable with Karnel attacking and defending well on the left supporting Doug who was at left back.
On about 20 minutes a tight offside decision was given in their favour and the striker finished between my legs with a confident finish. There was no other place he would have scored mark my words.
The tables had turned and Old Owens one up and getting a few more chances and forcing me to make some important saves and more importantly to get to the rebound. This period also involved the referee disallowing a close range header and Gary Jones producing a superb last ditch sliding challenge.
Old Owens being in the 1st division were playing well but we were still well in this game but a massive moment happened in the 43rd minutes a free header from a corner was bulleted in with Fez unable to keep it out. Would that close the game?
Would it hell, straight away from the re start Karnel collected the ball. Fantastic wing skills and producing a good low cross with Louis scoring ( I think he scored, I’m down the other end celebrating not knowing I’d be doing a match report).
The goal kept us in the game. However, Old Owens in the second half played better than us. We did have lots of the ball but we really didn’t test the goalkeeper in the second half. We got men forwardand as a result were caught on the counter attack where poor finishing, poor final balls and a fewsaves from myself kept us in it.
Rightly we put men forward with it being the cup. I was hoping we would get a corner in the 90th minute where I could gallop forward and volley an equaliser. Unfortunately with about 15 mins left they finally scored. A counter attack again. Their left winger crossed to the penalty spot where their striker somehow missed the ball. The right winger retrieved it and crossed it low. I got to it but my arm was an inch to short. The ball was knocked to a player who lashed it in.
The game finished 3-1 to Old Owens who go through. Their keeper was complimentary of our play and said that there are 1st divisions worse than us. We lost 4 key players before the game. If Barcelona lose 4 they would suffer. We played well and with discussion in the changing room after we have got the messages off our chests (not by arguing).
Forward to the league and back to winning ways.
