We got the perfect start in the game, taking the lead with our first attack when Asher Maliki broke clear and took advantage of the goalkeeper's failed clearance to finish into an empty net. After that, though, it wasn’t so good for 20 or so minutes. Far too often, we looked to complete intricate passing phases when the pitch and the intensity of the opposition didn’t allow it, and we were very much second to the ball and having to defend our own goal. I thought we did that quite well, but we were on the back foot, if not quite hanging on. Nottsborough equalised when we played back rather than forward, and a misplaced clearance found its way back into our box and headed home. Shortly after, we went behind when a long ball played in behind our defence was skilfully finished, and the game was turned around in 5 minutes. If anything, it seemed that we learned from this, as we then started going a bit longer. From one such move, we equalised, so with three goals in under 10 minutes, it was up for grabs for either team to win it. 2-2 at half time.

We spoke at halftime about being fortunate to be level and that we needed to match the work rate of our opponents and to play more directly, and we did do that in the second half. It made for a scrappy game with both sides cancelling each other out, although I think Nottsborough were still edging it. As their energy dropped, we came back into the game, but neither side from open play really threatened to get a winner. Whilst our defending was sound, we did come under pressure from a number of corners and free kicks that on occasions were harshly awarded, but we saw it through, and so it went to penalties.

The shootout came and went quickly, with Nottsborough scoring their first three and us failing to score any, and out we went rather tamely. It was a disappointing result, especially given our start, but on the night, we were second best and didn’t deserve anything different from what we got.

We need to quickly re-group and ensure we get back on track for our remaining league games, as we still have a huge opportunity there. The only positive of the evening is that we didn’t lose in 90 minutes, and so in a way that keeps a run of sorts going, but we will need to be back to our best to get any reward from the remaining games this season.

Gaffer Glynn Stephens
First Team Manager