BRUNTS OB 0 WOLLATON III 4

MAA Premier Division League Cup Quarter Final.

Cuckney, North Notts. Saturday Nov 22nd,2008

Team: Rhys, Frazer Barron, Joe Lewis, Steve Burton, David Smith, Micky Evans, Andy Creswell, Rocky Bennett-Bull, Liam Hill, Mark Middleton, Nick Evans. Subs: Josh Slade, David Grantham, Sheldon Miller.

Wollo Goals: Mark Middleton, Liam Hill (2), Nick Evans.

   With Brunts mid table and ourselves now at the foot of the MAA Prem, this quarter final league cup fixture away at North Notts could have looked a mismatch, but we're very much aware the current league table isn't a true reflection of ability.

   It is a reflection of form though and clearly Brunts have earned the points to get to 7th place though they've played some weaker teams than we have thus far. Those strong teams they have played against have delivered swift judgement, with FC05 beating them 8-0 and Southwell Amateurs turning them over 10-0 both in the space of two weeks. That must have been one fortnight that dragged.

   The biggest consideration of late has been our form without the ball. As discussed before the game, with the ball we're fair game for any fixture but without the ball we've not been defensively strong enough all round. So for this fixture against Brunts we sacrificed the luxury of two wide players and went with a compact three man midfield on a smaller pitch to sit tight, but compensated our attacking options with a third man up front in the shape of Liam Hill, who has performed well when called upon and has been patient waiting for a start.

   From the off, we got stuck into Brunts and pushed up, squeezing their options and took the play into their half and got an opening goal after an early strike by Nick from outside the box was spilled by their keeper on a very cold day and Mark Middleton gambled to pick up the scraps and stab the ball into the net. Minutes later we went on the charge again, with the midfield all supporting the lads up front well. We got a second through Liam, another good poacher's finish (it's good to see us getting more goals in this fashion) and we could have had a third when their keeper pulled off a brilliant save after Nick headed a superb Mark Middleton cross goalwards.

   Brunts forced a few corners and delivered a couple of good balls from the right but in the main we managed to contain their threats, with the back four keeping good shape with a high line, marshalled well by Smithy who was having a good game.

  In the second half we put the game beyond them when Liam broke free and sprung their offside trap to get a third with a cool finish. At 3-0 and with Liam on a hat trick it was a tough decision to make changes but with three subs freezing their cods off on the sidelines, it's only right to try to get a run out for everyone, to maintan fitness levels and to keep competition for places healthy. So Liam came off and Josh came on and started to thaw out.

   Rocky hit the bar after connecting with a firm low cross after a well worked move down the right and at the other end Burts and Smithy were working well, the latter dominant in the air and bringing the ball out from the back in Baresi style. Frazer came off with 20 minutes to go after a good performance at right back and a few minutes later the game was wrapped up when the ref awarded Wollo a dodgy penalty, which Nick Evans netted in Fishy's absence.

   So there you have it; bottom of the league but the winning runs continue in the cup and that puts us into the MAA Premier Division League Cup semi-final, with a fixture in January against either Woodborough, Southwell or Nalgo. Well done lads, a good shift put in by everyone.

Man of the Match: Dave Smith...we scored four goals at the other end but, most importantly, we kept a clean sheet at the other and Smithy led by example, a rock at the heart of defence and kept the ball well when he won it.