LEAGUE CUP ROUND 2

Subs

• Mcloughlin

• Stokes

• Abbott

• Palmer

Our 1st game for what seems like an age and finally we go the performance that we have all been waiting for. We have threatened to do it in glimpses but everything felt and went right about today pretty much from when we got to the ground. Our lads have eagerly anticipated this game ever since we saw the cup drawer. We felt that we could have won the league game at Shenley a month ago and the lads were keen to have another crack at the early season pace setters. Shenley have won 9 on the trot in league and cup before today so the lads knew they would need to rise to the challenge.

The boys carried their recent focus in training into this game and as soon as we started warming up I could sense the same type of atmosphere amongst the lads that I felt at this stage last tear when we went to Phoenix at the same stage of this Cup. The boys felt like they had something to prove after a stuttering start to a Premiership campaign.

Selection was tough as the last Performance at Meadow Park was so poor, and everybody has trained relatively well since. I decided on something slightly different. We reverted to 4-4-2 and I picked a team that I felt would be up for “the battle” on a wet and windy day. Mark and Graham were paired together for the 1st time as were Rob and Jonjo, likewise with Jack Davies and Halloran.  Matty B got a run out on the wing for the 1st time in over a year.

The early stages were action packed. We shaded it as we won more of the early tackles and our hard working midfield had us on the front foot. Shenley were of course always a threat coming forward and Jacko seemed determined to keep the tricky winger quiet with several outstanding tackles.

Our back four were doing a terrific job in tough conditions. Graham stood firm in the centre and organised well. Going forward Jack and Mike were having limited success but were working very hard and Matty looked to have the beating of the full back. Rob and Jonjo kept the engine room ticking over with neat play and high energy leaving the Shenley midfielders no time on the ball.

We have had good spells this season without getting the goal we often deserve. This time it came. Jonjo bent in a free kick and Halloran opened his account for the season with a clinical right foot volley. The lads celebrated and the belief was growing.

Our play improved from here and more shots and corners came in a hurry. Another corner from Jonjo was half cleared, Jacko smashed it back in and the ball deflected to Mike. A neat 1st touch set him up and a clinical finish made it 2-0.

We then lost Mike and Dyl to injury in quick succession. This gave the subs (who were freezing) a chance to get into the action. Ryan, Henners and Dayle went on and all got straight into the game. Half time 2-0.

The 2nd half went much the same. Shenley threw caution to the wind and we were excellent on the counter attack. Ryan and Dayle were a real handful upfront. Ryan's ability to find space and pick a pass complimented Dayle's pace and movement well. This meant Dayle was causing them all sorts of trouble and may have had a couple of goals.

Shenley huffed and puffed but never really worked the solid Stevo. We were starting to play some super stuff in midfield. Peter was having a great 2nd half and Matty B was finding more space.

The killer goal came when a Jonjo corner was half cleared. Matt fired it back in and the ball fell to James to score goal number 3 of the season. 3-0. The game was getting very scrappy now and 1 or 2 bad tackles threatened to spoil the game. Jonjo suffering the worst of all. The game was petering out and our back 4 continued to throw themselves in front of everything to earn the clean sheet that they wanted. A great display was capped off at the death when Matt’s trickery and deadly cross found Rob’s great run. 4-0.

Through to the quarter finals of the cup that we enjoyed so much last year and our 1st real scalp of the season. A very convincing display and we were far and away the better side on the day with 4 goals and a host of chances.

Credit to our tremendous back four. The new look midfield won their battles and the 5 lads who played upfront during the game all worked hard and looked threatening.

We now need league points and we have to take this confidence into Coleshill and Phoenix.

Steve