Cup action sees a draw!

This was about the first time Sparkshop have played a cup game and drawn. We were playing a team from our league, one of the ones who beat us at the end of the last season, which meant there was no goal start for either side.
Once again though we were without Kev who had almost broken his toe in a freak sandy beach accident involving a frisbee in Magaluf. Despite his obvious discomfort he turned up loyally to support his teammates who were introduced to yet another stand in player, this time Phil, another friend of Rich who has a limitless supply of stand in players at his disposal.
Dom returned too as well as myself after the trips to Magaluf and Paris respectively. We were without new Matt though who has twisted a fingernail picking up a pint or something

Rich Dom Dougie Phil 3 Pint Pete Matt Iain

The disturbed line up meant Matt got to share the offensive duties with me and the team quickly settled into the game with some good passing a decent shape. Once again Dougie was solid at the back, if not the front (boom, tish), anticipating well and keeping the opposition limited to long range shots. Dom was similarly doughty in defence and got up well for several headers and even managed a tremendous shot in the second half which left their keeper scrambling to reacha dipping volley destined for the corner.

Sadly we fell behind to a scrappy goal which saw Rich pull off one of his customary outstanding saves only to see the ball fall to an attacker who scuffed the ball in awkwardly. The scores were level at half time and Pete and Phil were both unlucky with long range shots which captured the energy they were putting into the game.

Rich was dealing with everything coming his way and was very clean in his handling which meant we created an opportunity from a quick throw out. It was intercepted by the last defender who headed up and back to goal leaving the two of us to race after the ball as it bounced into the area. There was a push apparently which although seemingly innocuous was enough to prompt Gary to award a penalty, the award of which was contested strongly enough for Gary to send the player from the pitch. Matt felt it was pen, similar to one we conceded a few weeks back when new Matt bundled into an attacker.

Pete bravely stepped up to the spot and smacked his shot down the centre of the goal drawing us level with moments to go. Sadly there wasn't long enough for us to grab a winner and a draw was probably the fair result.

Next week sees a return to league action but without Matt who will be in the Westcountry meaning more changes to the team. Who else does Rich have up his sleeve? Will they be as good as the other replacements he has brought in so far? What part of Kev will be broken next week? I can hardly wait.