Scorer: Hancock (2)
Not too much to say about this apart from massively disappointing. For the second game in a row we went crashing out a cup quarter final that we really should have won. Whereas against Wake Green it was our lack of cutting edge in front of goal that lost the tie, in this game it was not just this but poor decision making.
Birbeck had about 3 shots and we had about 15. Their first goal came from a slip in defence that allowed their striker to toe punt one into the bottom corner. We had plenty of possession but failed to capitalise. Then in the 2nd half we gave away another comical goal when a lackadaisical back pass was seized on by their portly striker to slide past MOD. We were spared a third when Macca headed one off the line.
Here we turned up the heat, and it was pretty much ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’ (poor quality gag but I am working against a deadline here). Firstly Rich curled in a beaut off the post from 25 yards, and then minutes later Ben put in an inch perfect cross that Rich 50p headed in from the back post. 2-2 and there only looked like one winner. Alas that was not the case.
In torrential rain we pushed and pushed and arguably should have had a penner in the last minute when Tom was pulled back when clean through. We made most of the play in extra-time and were camped in their half at times. But we could not make the breakthrough.
The penalties were all good, and when Skipper Macca stepped up he was the 8th player to do so, and duly blazed over. Game lost.
The Reserves need to look at themselves in the wake of this defeat – out of both cups but a good run in the league could give us a real say in the promotion shake up. Be on time, and ready to warm up Saturday. No passengers please.
Team: O’Donnell, Mcloughlin, Irvine, Munero, Simpson, Hancock, Wilson, Carter, Harvey, Hubbard (Spencer), Nicholas (Wilding).
MOTM – Johnnie Munero out of position in his reserves debut. Imperious.
