ROLL ON ROUND 2

Subs

• Doyle for Powell

• Powell for P.Barber

• P.Barber for Hill

Today was the 1st round of the cup and it coincided with our 1st match at our new home pitch.  We had drawn Maypole from Division 4 so we were hot favourites to progress to the next round.  We haven't really had a cup run over the years so this was a nice start for us.

The team almost picked itself as Scott is still out with a groin injury and James pulled out of the game this morning with his recurring mouth problem.

We welcomed Matt Doyle to the team for the 1st time since recovering from his operation.  Phil Evans came in on the right after impressive displays as a substitute and CJ dropped in at left back.

The game started reasonably scrappy from our point of view but we soon settled.  Henry and Alex had taken control in the centre and Matt Barber was causing havoc down the left wing.

Graham had soon put us ahead with a neat finish and had doubled our lead when scored shortly after.  His hat trick was completed with a great strike from outside the area after a quick free kick from Henners.

Maypole attacked occasionally, mainly down our right hand side but Deano, and Mark snuffed out any danger.  Likewise Mikey and CJ looked well in control of the left hand side.

We missed one or two chances when we really should have killed the game off.  Paul Barber should have scored and Graham was still a threat.

On the stroke of half time Maypole got back into it when CJ handled and Maypole scored from the spot.  Half time.  3-1

The 2nd half I felt we were a little better.  We created a lot more chances and we had several different players getting into scoring positions.  Henry made two great runs into the box only to just fail in finishing good moves.  Phil blazed over the bar from 2 yards and Alex had a thunderbolt brilliantly saved by Maypoles keeper.  Matt Barber had a goal disallowed and Graham missed a header from a corner.

Inevitably the goals did come.  Graham got his 4th with a neat lob and Phil scored the goal of the game after a great move involving Alex and Graham.  We introduced Matt Doyle at left back and he eased himself back into things quite nicely in the last 15 mins.

The ever impressive Alex Mytton has been unlucky not to score in every match so far this season so we pushed him upfront with 10 mins to go.    Al got the goal he deserved after another good move down the right and Grahams cross shot was rolling wide before Alex tapped it home.   He then got his 2nd of the game with a cool finish when one on one with the keeper.

All in all it was “job done” and I can’t complain, as these games are never easy.  Most of the big teams went through to the next round so bring one of them on and we can really test ourselves.  Well done lads.

Steve