Arrows faced Broadwater Athletic in the Cup this weekend. The guests travelled to Netherfield with confidence having a 100% league record (11 out of 11 wins).
The Arrows biggest nemesis all season has been conceding early on. And despite their previous two results being wins with clean sheets, they fell back in to old ways conceding 2 goals within the first 15 minutes.
The first was a spill from Holland that fell to number 8 who reacted quickest to poach it into the net. The second came from the Arrows being too tentative allowing Athletic to run with the ball. Number 8 involved again, danced through the midfield and assisted the run of their forward who finished nicely into the far corner.
Debutant Zac Bryant was sadly forced off with an injury shorty after and we wish him a speedy recovery. JonJo Wright came on to replace in an unaccustomed position (LWB).
As always, and never in doubt, the Arrows squad never give up and pushed harder to get back in to the game. Wing backs given a little more freedom to press and counter, allowed Pass & Move to create more going forward. Some relaxed passing eventually found its way back to Frazer Discala in the centre, who dispatched the ball into the top corner from a long range effort. ????
Shortly after, Davies put through Wright who had attempted an audacious lob that had the keeper back tracking to tip over the bar. The resulting in-swinging corner by Booth, had the keeper guessing again and resulted in the ball dropping over the line with the keeper.
2-2 and the dynamics changed. Booth released Callum Brand who brilliantly pulled it back for Pip to slot home. Offside!
The game was all square at the break and the second half saw Athletic creating the chances but being blocked by a strong defensive display.
70 minutes the Arrows are awarded a free kick on the left. Tiltman in his own words delivered a “Sat Nav” pass to striker Callum Brand who was brave enough to jump with the out rushing keeper and flick his header into the open net. Great bravery and finish from the youngster.
Arrows finally with the lead seemed to add some panic on the ball, making rash decisions that allowed Athletic to push for the equaliser.
86 minutes and their pressure found reward. Williams stunned by the turn in the box and the midfielder placed it passed Holland.
With no subs available and tiring legs, the last thing needed in this game was extra time. Arrows now dominating the attack saw Davies, Pip and Booth all with great chances to steal the win but just couldn’t seal it.
Then in the 89th minute, Athletics keeper who had just made the headlines for his save, made them for his misplaced goal kick that found Callum who was smart enough to pull it across the box for Pip to take an assured touch and smash it home! 4-3 to the Arrows and absolute scenes!
Some would think it was all over. But… like something out of a Division Rivals FIFA match, Athletic found a 90th minute equaliser from their No 8 again who scored his brace with a fantastic diving header.
To make it worse, and more like something from a Hollywood movie, Athletic found one more attack down their right hand side, which was fired across goal in the far bottom corner in the dying seconds.
A devastating blow to say the least. A fair contest and we wish Broadwater Athletic all the best for their season and next round of the cup.
MoM: Callum ‘Big Time’ Brand
