HOPES FOR FA CUP GLORY OVER FOR ANOTHER SEASON

So it wasn’t to be, after a last minute equaliser on Saturday kept our FA Cup hopes alive we were unable to go one step further and win this Tuesday night replay. There was just one goal in it which came late in the game but it proved to be enough to take our hosts Barking into the next round.

Both games proved to be very tight and competitive and whilst there will inevitably be some disappointment the supporters can be proud of the effort and commitment put in by the players against a very strong team who didn’t secure their place in the next round until 10 minutes from normal time. The goal that proved to be crucial came from a corner that eventually went in off one of our players. It was scrappy but in truth Barking were the better side and deserved to go into next round where they will play Redbridge away.

We started the game well and in the 11th minute a well worked corner between Harry Beaumont and Harry Shepherd saw the latter crack a terrific shot goal wards that forced a superb save from the Barking keeper. Our hosts enjoyed more possession and territory on their 3G pitch but we defended valiantly and when necessary blocked potentially dangerous shots. When the home side did get shots on target Dan Gould was able to deal with them, although just before half time Dan would have been relieved to see a shot hit the post and bounce back into his arms.

The second half was more of the same with Barking looking dangerous on the attack but Captain George Carbery marshalled his defence superbly to keep us in the game until the 80th minute when Barking got the vital break through to win the game. We wish Barking the best of luck in the next round.

This was our first defeat in our opening 10 games (if you include the pre-season friendlies) so this has still been a very good start to the season. We are now without a game until Tuesday 13 August when we face MK Irish away which will be another tough match.

Team: Dan Gould, Lee Stobbs (Harry Jones 83), Harrison Cornick, George Carbery (Capt), Adam Sawyer, Harry Beaumont, Greg Deer (Frankie Hercules 75), Jack Harvey, Harry Shepherd (Dylan Fitzpatrick 83), Ben Kakembo, Max Hercules. Subs not used: Charlie Bradshaw, Ryan Sharkey, Mason Clarke.

Goals:

B: OG (79)

TA: -

Crowd: 108