The league cup draw gave us an early opportunity to exact revenge on Hanworth Villa

Cup hoodoo or just an out of form team? Either way we again looked quite ordinary and the absence of four of our major striking options was again clear for all to see.

We actually started the game well and our awareness of Hanworths style saw us sharper to the ball and more dynamic than we had been at any point in the first game.

But as so often happens when you are down circumstances conspire to go against you.

Our bright opening undone by a moment of good fortune for our opponents. An aimless punt into our penalty box deflecting into the path of the striker who was able to beat Fisher at the second attempt after his initial shot had been stopped. The only criticism being the slow reaction of our defenders following the first save.

Our reaction was good and a little bit of the early season fluency was back but with just one striker available our attempts on target ratio was just not good enough.
Hanworth clearly buoyed by their lead were tireless in their work and commitment and made it hard for us with there no nonsense approach.
As half time neared the defining point came. With us still knocking at the door Hanworth cleared to the other end and gained a corner in the bargain . Although that was cleared without trouble the second ball put back in behind our defence caught us ball watching and flatfooted and a smart take and finish saw the deficit doubled.

The second half produced more of the same. A well drilled defence to break down and a lack of creativity seeing us huff and puff but with nothing to show. Whilst our own defence was comfortable it was clear that the two banks of four that we were up against were intent on holding on to the two goal advantage and were showing little interest in adding to that. To be fair a decent tactic when you are in that position.

Try as we might we had only two real chances in the second half one well saved by the keeper with a quarter of an hour to go and one off target when we could have done a bit better.

The closing exchanges were largely uneventful, as we seemed resigned to our fate losing our third cup contest of the year at the first hurdle.