The cup game at F&W was a chance for us to get a bit of revenge for the defeat a few weeks ago and a chance to see if all the work that we have put in at training has been worth it.
The weather was dry and cool after some heavy overnight rain the pitch looked good even if the grass was a little bit long.
The lads listened to us today before KO and put the ball straight in to the opposition half and had them under pressure straight away with the lads going close and setting us up for the rest of the game. We had said to the boys before the game that it was going to be about the team that wanted it more and the lads were showing great commitment and desire. We had a couple of free kicks around the F&W area for pushes that the Ref spotted and came close but in the 8th minute we got pay back for the Kris own goal 3 weeks ago Kris was involved but this time he helped us get the lead, He played a diagonal ball in to the F&W half and with Ben and Ed putting pressure on the ball the defender put it past his keeper and gave Sax the lead. F&W started to try and play and were trying to get at us but the lads at the back were equal to all the pressure and resorting them to long range shots. A couple of times we gave away silly free kicks on the edge but nothing came of them. F&W had an opportunity in the 22nd minute when their striker did get in behind but Jack was quick off his line and managed to get a hand to it, the striker was heard by us at the side to celebrate scoring but he should maybe wait until it is in before he does that. We did score another goal after some great play from the lads but the flag was up a tight call but it looked like the right one.
Half time talk was easy this week it was just a case of telling the lads to keep it tight and keep doing the same stuff as in the 1st half because there should be more goals in it for us and F&W were looking rattled and not able to play their normal game with the Sax lads closing them down quickly and not letting them settle on the ball.
It only took 2 minutes after the restart to double the lead after some good team play Ed's shot was saved by the keeper but the ball fell to Ben and he tapped it in a goal that he promised me before the game and 1 that he deserved. The next chance to kill the game off came after Tom played a great ball in to Ed but his shot brushed the outside of the post. F&W were looking frustrated and were just trying long range shots that Jack is happy to deal with all day. Some more good play from Ben and Ed resulted in Arron shooting just wide. F&W made 3 changes and that spurred them on a bit and Sax were under pressure for 10 minutes but the lads at the back and Jack in goal looked unbeatable and weathered the storm. It was decided to get Rossi on to the left to try and force another goal and it paid off when he set up Ed for the 3rd and to kill the game off. F&W still had a go but Jack was on fine form and made a couple of good saves and from a corner and a scramble Finchy summed up the lads attitude when he was heard to shout “throw everything at it” the lads did and Tom finally cleared it.
A great performance from all the lads and Ben was awarded MOM for his play today and for being a constant thorn in the side of the left back. It was good to see the lads at the back looking so solid and the midfield not letting F&W play their football and when they got through Jack never looked like he was going to be beat.
Well done lads we have Sutton in the next round but that is not until March so we have a lot of football to play before then starting next week with Kirton at home in the league and we need to get a result to get our league campaign back on track after dropping 2 points against Whitton
David
