A first goal-less draw for the Lions this season and on the positive side, a first clean sheet, in this the first leg of the Junior Oak Cup Quarter Final.
Line up
Dorian (GK)
Phil (RB), Simon (CB), Matt R (CB), Julian (LB)
Danny (CM), Dave (CM), JP (CM)
Jon (RF), Lee (CF), Dale (LF)
The Junior Oak Cup is being played between the teams of the third division so although it is a quarter final tie, we haven't had to do anything to get to this stage apart from exist. We'd already played and beaten this team 3 times in the League and although they are currently bottom without a win, they have been improving and we knew before we stated that we had a tough match ahead of us.
We dominated the first half, having a lot of the possession but not really doing much with it in the final third. Too many times Lee was isolated up front and a final ball wasn't good enough to get through their defence. For all our good play in the middle of the pitch (with Danny having a superb game) and solidness in defence, we didn't actually test the keeper with any meaningful shots in the first half.
The highlights were meagre. Dale working his way down the left then cutting in a low ball across the penalty area that JP could only scuff wide as he ran onto it. Erm...that's about all that stands out really, but it was typical off our play. A lot of good build up possession but no end product. At least we had that, whilst the oppo mainly relied on long balls.
The second half was a much more even affair, with the oppo getting hold of the ball and playing themselves into threatening positions. The second half also showed why we always need three subs. I came off after a few minutes into it after coming off worse when I fouled one of their players and Alfie came on. Dale came off a few minutes later after getting a kick that left him hobbling then a while later Dave came off with a muscle pull.
Neither side carved out any real chances until late on. Dorian reacted fantastically to tip a header over the bar, then from the resulting corner got fingertips onto a shot that actually hit the bar.
At the other end, Kevin put a ball in from the left that just eluded Kyle in the centre. Alfie went on a great run from the right touchline in his own half to the penalty area 'D' but then ran into Lee with neither of them seeming to know what to do next and the chance was gone. Simon made another of his runs from the heart of the defence and put a ball into Lee who controlled it well on his chest, but his shot straight at the keeper lacked power. Alfie and Kyle on the right worked an opening on right for JP to snap off a sharp shot on the turn but this was straight at the keeper.
In the end, we were happy with the clean sheet and we've still got the second leg to come but with two very tough fixtures on their way, we need to make more of our good football and starting putting our chances away.
