Town were handed a tough draw in the Beacon Bitter Cup when they took on high flying Anstey Town on Saturday afternoon. With players coming back from injury Town were almost at full strength with Ross Proud the only player still sidelined.
Town began the game at a fast pace looking for revenge against an Anstey side who had inflicted Town’s only defeat in the last eight league and cup games. The game was being played in the Anstey final third and the first chance of note fell on 10 minutes when a ball in from Aubrey on the right was turned against the post by Hardy. This seemed to wake Anstey up and they began to take a foothold as Town struggled to get their passing game together. Although Anstey controlled the following 20 minutes, Smith in goal wasn’t forced into any save of note. The deadlock was eventually broken on 30 minutes when a long ball over the top was neither cleared or collected by Smith in goal and Brown nipped in to give Anstey the lead. Town reacted quickly with Jelly taking to many touches in the area before his attempt was blocked. Hardy also saw an effort blocked as Anstey dug in until the break. HT 0-1.
After a few harsh words at Half time Town were quick out of the blocks once again as they began to dominate. Chance after chance was being wasted. Ramkisson missed a free header from a corner. Jelly put an effort wide with the keeper to beat. Silk missed an opportunity he really should have done better with. Hardy had a couple of efforts blocked. It was wave after wave of attacks for Town when eventually the equaliser came with a move down the right with Aubrey once again the provider as he pulled the ball back for Hardy to fire across the keeper into the corner of the net. Town sensed the game was there for the taking and dominated the remainder of the game but just couldn’t take the chances that came their way and had to settle for penalties in a game they really should have won. FT 1-1.
Town had practised penalties in training and were pretty confident. Silk stepped up first and hammered home (1-0). Brown levelled for Anstey (1-1). Cossu then coolly slotted into the bottom corner (2-1). Smith then saved the next penalty (2-1). Aubrey then slammed his penalty home (3-1). Smith saved again leaving it up to Frost to put Town through (3-1). Frost showed no nerves as he slotted the ball home. Town win 4-1 on penalties. It was no more than Town deserved as they had dominated the majority of the game but it’s still a case of putting games to bed when in command. Town are now through to the Quarter Finals where they will more than likely face Premier Division opponents.
