Winchmore 1s vs Carthusians 1s
AFA Senior Cup
30 November
Result: knocked out
After a narrow victory against Old Owens in the opening round of fixtures, we faced last years champions and current holders of the AFA cup, Old Carthusians, in the next round. To say this was a tough start to a cup run is an understatement.
Facing an unfamiliar side we set up with our now more familiar 4-4-2 and talked about getting on the front foot early.
And we did that. We started brightly and looked to keep possession. The early exchanges of the game were fairly evenly spread and it looked like it was going to be an even contest, one which either side would need to dig in to get a result.
Then, to the surprise of everyone, the referee awarded a penalty. Sam Jennings slide to stop a cross – the ball cannoned into his trailing arm and with no appeals from any players, the official pointed to the spot. To add to this, the referee booked Sam implying that the hand ball, behind him, as he broke his fall, from 1 yard away, was deliberate. It’s unfair to suggest that the referee may have acted differently if this wasn’t at the same end his assessor was standing and for that reason, I won’t mention it.
From such bad fortune we needed to react. And we did. Surging forwards it wasn’t long until a second penalty was awarded, this time for the hill. Further away from the afore mentioned assessor, however from some angles on the pitch is was equally as soft. A chance to equalise. The keeper guessed the right way though and the game stayed at 0-1.
Undeterred we pressed for an equaliser. We looked the most likely to score next until we then gave them their second goal. A sloppy back pass put Will under pressure and as he came to meet the ball he entered a 50/50 with the Carthusians Centre forward. The ball bounced kindly in front of goal, in front of the forward and with Will still on the edge of his box, it was put away for the visitors to double their lead.
It felt against the run of play and could have been exactly the kind of goal to take the wind out of our sails, but it didn’t. We went straight back up the pitch. We were starting to link passes together and were getting back in to the game, looking like we’d take ourselves into half time at 2-0.
Alas, with little over 5 minutes to the break and with us having worked to get a foot hold in the game we need to be making better decisions. When a ball is put in behind our back four and we get there first under pressure, it needs to go. What we don’t need to do is try and roll the winger. The reason we don’t do that is, when they steal the ball they are only 5 yards outside our box. They can come inside, slide the ball across our 6 yard box and have it tapped in for 2-0.
We made it to the half clearly disappointed. The score line didn’t reflect 99% of the game to that point, but when you don’t score at the other end, goals hurt you. Giving away 2 goals all but finishes you off against good teams.
Another second half with nothing to lose. Not an enviable place to be in.
We’re struggling to find goals at the moment. Coming back from 3-0 down was not going to be easy. Despite the score line, and despite the odds being against us we continued to fight. In the midfield every ball was contested and we won more than our fair share. We deserved more off the back of our possession but when we’re not creating chances we’re always vulnerable to letting games get away from us.
The 4th Carthusians goal was another Winchmore Hill assist. Rising beautifully to win a header in the middle of the park, Bex inexplicably launched a 30 yard through ball to the Carthusians centre forward. From the edge of the box he riffled the ball low into the bottom corner to add to the mountain to climb with little over 35 minutes left.
From there we started making more mistakes. We were working hard to win the ball but then gave it away as quickly as we’d win it. It wasn’t an easy half hour to watch or be involved in.
It was compounded before full time with a fifth goal. Another goal gifted to them. Another pass back, this time caught under Wills feet. The ball was charged down and from what seemed like an impossible angle was curled home to complete the route.
5-0. It shouldn’t have been 5-0, but in all honesty if we’re not going to start scoring ourselves then we only need to concede 1 to be in real trouble. If we’re in trouble conceding 1 then we really need to made it as hard as possible to break down. It’s no good waiting to be in trouble and see if we can bounce back with what’s left of a game because, well, we’re not doing so well with that at the moment.
We turn our attention next week to Nottsborough who gave us a hiding when we travelled to their place. We have a performance to give.
Onwards and Upwards