Match Report

1 down, 1 to go

Our first of 2 meetings with Ide Hill in a couple of games which will shape our season.

With our only objective in the league now being to try and remain unbeaten for as long as possible, the 2 cup competitions are our chance of making it a great season.

Saturday's game was against a very good Ide Hill side who dumped us out at this stage last year when we managed the Reserves.

The game itself was one for the neutrals. We went 1-0 down very early, the first goal we've conceded since December, then got level through a route 1 goal, finished well by Aaron Evans.

We then gifted them the lead. Gibbo turned into Rene Higuita and tried to dance round their forward, who tapped it home. To be fair this was Gibbo's first ever mistake in 2 years playing for us. It was also the first time his dad had been down to watch in that time. Gibbo, your old man is now banned from Farrow Fields.

We got back into it before half time, Luke Foulsham nodding in an Al Barnes cross.

Al got MOM for the first time ever today, I believe there is now a national holiday to commemorate this momentous occasion. Zander Day.

The second half saw us on top, without being able to force a winner, so we went to extra time. Unfortunately our newly acquired under-16 supporters' club under the broken shed thought this was a league game and so went home, missing the best of the action. Hopefully they'll be allowed out later next week.

We again went behind thanks to a 20 yard toe punt, before Aaron Evans saw red for a second booking.

This left us a man down, a goal down and 10 minutes away from a disappointing exit.

Step forward substitute Lee Friend, who danced through two tackles and chose to ignore an unmarked Luke F, and scored from an impossible angle. There wouldn't have been enough toys in Hamleys for Luke to throw out of his pram if Lee had missed, so relief all round.

With penalties looming we launched one last attack and Steve McQueen was chopped down cynically in the box. Not a hint of simulation anywhere.

Not too sure what happened after that, but the boys tells me the penalty was scored and we move into the semis!!

Get in!

Team:
Lee Gibbs; Joe Slater, Dave Martin, Matt Reynolds, Sam Dalby; Dan Rose; Kobi Johnson; Luke Foulsham; Al Barnes, Steve McQueen, Aaron Evans.
Subs - Scott Wason, Lee Friend.

Oh and I think Ellis might have been there.