FA CUP Misery

Again however we lost at the first stage thanks to some poor defending and missed opportunities at the other end.

With a number of first choice defenders unavailable, a new look back line seemed ill at ease from the off and after just three minutes we fell behind when regulation defending was abandoned for something less effective and we were punished accordingly.

A very erratic performance was on display and to be honest even at one nil it seemed unlikely that we would find a way back such was the level of performance.

Midway through the half and with the substitutes ordered to warm up, an early change seemed likely but that went on hold as a correct penalty award against us saw our opponents lead doubled and deservedly so.

Straight from the restart we carved out a reasonable move culminating in a fine Reece Jackson shot being kept out some how by the Raynes Park keeper.

That may have been a turning point although a glaring miss by Malik Buari on the stroke of half time, and an enforced double substitution saw that particular discussion with a couple of other points to consider.

With Aaron Leacock on for the injured Andrew Heath and Daniel Bennett replacing Lloyd Welsh the shape changed to chase the game.

Just two minutes in and we had reduced the deficit through Daniel Bennett’s drive after his initial header came back off the bar.

With the visitors on the rack Baptiste Bogle was introduced to further enhance our attacking line up. At times we seemed happy to defend with just one back. However despite our dominance a series of chances were wasted with our shots endangering our spectators more than the Raynes Park goal.

The closest in a series of missed opportunities fell to Cole-Bolt who hit the bar with a well directed effort and a last minute strike that appeared and was confirmed as such after the game to have been stopped by the outstretched arm of the defender.

That said it would be wrong to blame the officials and a draw would have papered over the cracks in a most forgettable team showing.