Cup defeat but close

In the never ending cup competition, Iscape at least put up something of a fight as we lost 3 - 2 to Tradelink, one of the teams that finished above us, along with just about everyone else, during the league campaign. We were missing some of our best players as well as Matt, Dave and Dougie.

Hen Kev Iain Dom Matt I Pete Nick Bolts

It wasn't a great attacking display by any means although Kev strove manfully up front with little or no support as they attacked us pretty much incessantly for the first half with the opening goal coming when Dom misjudged a ball he ought to have competed for waited for the attacker to pick up and set up a colleague with Hen stranded 2 on 1. The game was played in a good spirit despite having the abysmal ref so beloved of Dougie.

An equalizer came with the start of the second half when we began playing the ball around a little and Kev released Bolts to slot under the keeper. I was getting a very different perspective playing from the back and quite enjoyed it. There is no word of a lie in this, I tackled two people who were steaming through! I must be almost in double figures for my 'career' now. Sadly we were exposed soon afterwards and conceded a sloppy second. That became three as a corner to the edge of the D was not closed down and Hen was unsighted as it flew into his arms low and hard before falling through his legs. Not as bad as it sounds from a keeper's view as it was well struck and he didn't have time to adjust his position.

In the final minutes we gave ourselves a glimmer of hope to go with the fading sunshine when Kev sent in a long throw which I flicked on and past a startled keeper. There was insufficient time to launch any other meaningful attack and we subsided to defeat and perhaps an exit from the cup. Who can tell such are the complications of the rules.

We look forward to the new season starting next week with the return of the three amigos.