PENALTIES ARE OUR UNDOING YET AGAIN
Ralph Griffiths

Two weeks after our midweek 90 mile round trek to Essex we were back again on Tuesday night at the Harlow Area for another cup match this time in the Gladwish Challenge Trophy. Last time we came away with a 2-nil win but this time we fell foul of what has become our Achilles’ Heel – namely the Penalty Shoot Out (PSO).

The last time we were successful in a PSO was on 12/11/2022 when following a 1-1 home draw against Burnham Ramblers in the FA Vase (with our equaliser coming from Frankie Hercules) we went on to win the tie 5-3 on penalties with the scorers being George Carbery, Lenny Armstrong, Greg Deer, Frankie Hercules and Leo Farruch. Since then our record has been mysteriously poor having now lost all 7 PSO’s against Potton United, Fleet Town, Cockfosters, Bovingdon, Winslow United, Leverstock Green and now Harlow Town.

As for the game we started brightly and were in control for much of the first half. George Devine’s headed a great chance just over after 11 minutes with Harlow hitting back immediately with their leading scorer Reece Simpson finding himself free in the 6-yard box to meet a cross with fine header from point blank range which was brilliantly saved by Jake Alley.

Soon afterwards there was a very similar situation for us when Luke Peerless found some space after producing a superb flick and turn and then crossing the ball to Harry Jones whose fine header was brilliantly saved by home keeper Dawid Krusinski. Jake was then called into action to make a terrific save from Jeff Cobblah who must have thought he had scored.

In the 21st minute Jonesy scored his 7th of the season when he met a super cross from Frankie Hercules to head past the keeper from close range. HT Score 0-1.

After the break Harlow had more of the ball and they put us under pressure and it was no surprise when they equalised on the hour mark when a great cross from Jeff Cobblah was struck home by Umaru Kabia to level the score. Score 1-1.

Harlow then had a header that looked to have crept in under the bar but Jake managed to claw it out. There were cries from the home fans, who felt the ball had crossed the line, but the referee waved away their appeals and to the credit of the Harlow players they didn’t protest much and carried on with the game.

We had to contend with a lot of pressure from our hosts and credit must go to Caden Barber who defended well, snuffing out several promising moves from the opposition. In the pouring rain there were few real chances created by either side and the game petered out to a 1-1 draw. FT Score 1-1.

So it went to penalties. Frankie opened up for us and scored with aplomb as did Harry Shepherd and although Jake pulled off a great save from one Harlow effort we missed with our other 3 attempts and we lost 3-2 on penalties. Pens 3-2.

Very disappointing that we again went out of a cup competition on penalties but we congratulate Harlow on their victory and wish them all the best when they entertain Eaton Socon, who are 2nd in Division 1, in the next round.

However we will be back again on 28th November for our 3rd visits to The Harlow Areana this time for a league match.

However, before then we have an important Premier Division encounter coming up on Saturday at the Michael Anthony Stadium against Kempston Rovers so hopefully our supporters will be out in force to cheer the players on.

TEAM
TA: Jake Alley, Michael Olulode, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Caden Barber, Mason Clarke (Dave O’Connor 64), Elijah Hearn (Lewis Dixon 91), Luke Peerless (Jack Harvey HT), Blake Argent (Harry Shepherd 77), Frankie Hercules (Capt), George Devine, Harry Jones.

Scorers:

HT: Umaru Kabia (60)

TA: Harry Jones (21)

Crowd: 142