It was very much a game of 2 halves on Tuesday and after our recent performances I expected better from the lads in the first half and that was the message at the break. Early on we seemed in fear of Roffey which allowed them far too much time on the ball and with their quality it was always going to mean that we had to defend more than I wanted us to. I have no doubts that the players were honest but standing off players means that you are under pressure and have little respite from chasing the play and defending. We did that exceptionally well with the 3 lads at the back putting in top performances. The lads in front of them weren’t playing with the same belief and were happy to just get into a defensive shape and upfront we offered very little. To get in at half time all square was a bonus and the choice of words in the direction of the players had the desired effect.

I felt we pretty much turned the game on its head in the second half with us dominating the ball and creating the chances and Roffey having to sit in with just the occasional foray forward. Despite being better chances were at a premium although their goalkeeper made one instinctive save just after the restart and although we retained the ball well and were in and around their goal much more often it was only 1 more real opportunity that we had with 10 to go but unfortunately, that chance was spurned. I thought the game was destined to stay goalless and with a penalty shoot-out to follow so some attention on the bench turned to thinking who we wanted on the pitch to take those penalties. Perhaps a lesson for me as managing the latter moments of the game and thinking of the penalties with possible late substitutions to have the right people on the pitch was stressful. However fine work late on created that one final chance which we took and it was just a case of seeing out the remaining 7 minutes or so.

We did it without drama and our reward is a semi-final against Premier Division Crowborough Athletic on Wednesday 24th April. We just about deserved it and despite the frustrations of the first half, the lads deserve huge praise for beating a very good Roffey side.

Glynn Stephens, First Team Manager.