DESPITE THE STERLING EFFORTS FROM THE TWO HARRYS WE GO OUT OF THE CUP

We missed out on the opportunity to retain the Gladwish Challenge Trophy that we lifted last season after beating Aylesbury Vale Dynamos 2-0 after losing to Winslow United at the Quarter Final stage.

It was a brilliant cup match full of drama, goals and changes in fortunes and although it was disappointing to go out of the competition on penalties for the 3rd time this season one cannot overstate the superb effort put in by the players against a very strong and powerful team who occupy top spot in the table and must be strong contenders for the League and Challenge Cup double.

After their surprise 2-0 defeat at home on Saturday to Sawbridgeworth Town it was obvious that Winslow would be fired up for this game and they certainly got off to a strong start with a series of dangerous crosses being whipped across our area and then in the 20th minute winger Levi Nicholson struck the crossbar with a fine shot.

After weathering the initial storm we were the first to open the scoring in the 23rd minute through the combined effort of the two Harrys - Jones and Shepherd - with the former tucking away his shot inside the post from the latter’s super cross to add to his recent brace of goals at Welwyn. Score 0-1.

Encouraged by this excellent start the two linked up again 7 minutes later with Jonesy slipping a lovely pass down the inside right channel to Shep who skilfully tucked the ball past the keeper to double our lead. Score 0-2.

We were playing well and looking dangerous on the break with Dylan’s Fitzpatrick’s lofted pass picking out the run made by Harry Jones who forced the home keeper Jack Stronge into making a good save.

Our hosts are the second highest scorers in the League behind Haringey Boro but we defended well and kept Josh in goal well protected. Our Keeper was called into action two minutes before the break when C Bolton struck a superb left foot shot that was arrowing into the far corner until Josh got down quickly to tip the ball round the post.

With the end of normal time showing on the clock we missed a golden opportunity to take a commanding 3 goal lead into the interval following Max’s throw to Jonesy who’s cross picked out Jack Harvey who was denied from point blank range by Stronge. It was a great opportunity missed.

Never-the-less after a terrific performance by the players we still went into the break with a decent 2 goal lead. HT Score 0-2.

Unfortunately during the interval we had to reshuffle the side with key players defender David O’Conner and Skipper Jack Harvey going off injured and being replaced by promising youngsters Liam Mann and Pablo Kalamaras.

We had another good scoring opportunity after only 3 minutes into the second half when Max and Jonesy combined to send Harry Shepherd through which usually results in him finding the net but this time his shot went wide of the goal.

A minute later Winslow’s powerful player Aaron King got a cross in from the bye line which Josh palmed away with the ball being cleared to safety. Our hosts upped their game and bombarded us with a series of crosses long balls and set pieces played into our area.

The pressure finally told in the 53rd when we were unable to clear our lines and Ryan Freshwater slammed the ball past Josh to give his side a life line. Score 2-1.

With their tails up we had a battle on our hands and it was no surprise when Winslow equalised in the 70th minute again through skipper Ryan Freshwater and then 2 minutes from normal time Scott Valentine scored what everybody in the ground believed was going to be the winner. Score 3-2.

But full marks to the lads and Harry Shepherd for believing otherwise when 4 minutes later Bailey Osborne slipped a lovely pass inside the full back for Shep to do what he does best and that is score his 11th goal of the season only 2 behind leading scorer Dylan Whitelock. FT Score 3-3.

Unfortunately the penalty shoot-out didn’t go so well for us as we went down 4-1 and Winslow booked their place in the semi-final where they will face Harpenden Town at home after the Herts side convincingly beat Letchworth Garden Eagles 7-0 on the same night. We wish Winslow all the best for the rest of the season.

We still have the Herts Charity Shield final scheduled for the 15 April and 9 League games left to play so there is plenty to look forward to starting at the Michael Anthony Stadium this coming Saturday where we entertain Dunstable Town when hopefully we will have some players back from injury.

TEAM:

TA: Josh Ameganvi, Greg Deer, James Kimber (Finn Rolfe 90+1), Dave O’Connor (Liam Mann HT), Dylan Fitzpatrick, Jack Harvey (Capt) (Pablo Kalamaras HT), Harry Beaumont, Blake Argent, Harry Jones (Bailey Osborne 78), Harry Shepherd, Max Hercules. Subs not used: Liam Mann, Omar Helmy, Bailey Osborne.

Scorers

WU: Ryan Freshwater (53, 70), Scott Valentine (88)

TA: Harry Jones (23), Harry Shepherd (30, 90+2)

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