Old Challoners v Mill Hill County Old Boys
AFA Intermediary Cup Round 2
Team: Williams; Beill (Maker, 45), Weidner, Foster, Lord; Daw, Bevins P, Beauchamp, Rae; Fitch, Lancaster (Cawley, 75)
Score: 4:3
Scorers: Fitch (2), Bevins P, Cawley
Nick Lancaster report
James Foster report
Back at the Fortress we expected a change of performance to the previous week and we got one that relied more on character than quality. A new look midfield with Daw on the right and Beauchamp partnering Bevins through the middle was always going to be a step into the unknown but after 30 minutes you wouldn't really have guessed that this 11 didn't play every week, other than the unusual sight of Lancaster partnering Fitch in attack. It was all Challoners, we managed to get into numerous excellent attacking positions but just lacked quality when it came to the final ball. When we finally did deliver some quality into the box Lordy managed to squander two fine headed opportunities. We were made to pay for this as we fell behind after some weak tackling and then a miss-judgement by the here-to faultless Williams as a cross looped over him to the far post was nodded home. We quickly responded though and from a huge punt up field Williams claimed an assist as Fitch beat the defender and keeper to the bouncing ball to nod home, scores level at half-time.
The second half seesawed as both teams strived for a winner. Challoners struck first as Fitch again punished the dallying defence to nip in and round the keeper to score after good pressurising from Bevins. This was soon cancelled out as slack marking at a corner allowed the equaliser. This brought extra-time and a tired, injury ravaged Challoners had to dig deep and find some quality unfortunately this only happened after we had fallen behind again after an unmarked header from a corner. With only 10 minutes left of extra-time Bevins stepped up and produced a superb finish with the outside of his wand after a sweeping counter attack, with penalties looming Bevins again stepped up and this time found a sublime through ball to Fitch who crossed into the box where the keeper spilled it at the feet of the on-rushing Cawley who gleefully swung his left boot 4-3! Fortunately for us there was very little time left and we held onto our 100% record at the Fortress and moved into the 4th round and a home tie to Winchmore Hill Reserves (unfortunately not the web-toed ones from just outside Amersham).
Man of the match: Phil Bevins.
THE LANCASTER VERDICT:
The performance of Lancaster in the advanced role looks a real bonus for the gaffer as do the great additions to the squad of Daw & Beauchamp.
Report by Nick Lancaster
Looking to bounce back from last week's disappointing performance the 2s were back at fortress Epilepsy Centre this week. Having lacked some character in their defeat away to Cardinal Manning OCs showed plenty this week, coming from behind twice to eventually sneak through to the next round after extra time. For the first time the proud Epo Depot record looked in real danger as Mill Hill County, despite being 4 divisions lower, proved more worthwhile opponents than most the 2s play in the Intermediate division.
The game was a scrappy affair in the first half with neither side able to retain possession for long. Chances came at both ends but it was the away side that took the lead mid way through the first half. Challoners failed to deal with a cross leaving a Mill Hill player with a simple far post header. It did not take long for Challoners to equalise. A long ball was helped on by Nick Lancaster and while the defence hesitated Neil Fitch stole in to loop a header over the on-rushing keeper and into the empty net. Game on. With the last action of the half Gary Lord headed narrowly wide from a superb Neil Fitch cross. It should have been 2-1 at the interval.
The second half started as scrappily as the first. With possession being given away by both sides chances were coming due to errors rather than creativity. It was such an error that lead to OCs second as the lively Neil Fitch again pounced on a defensive mix up to put Challoners in front. Undeterred, Mill Hill continued to push forward and soon found an equaliser after some slack Challoners' marking from a corner. A possible giant killing seemed on the cards when, with only 10 minutes left in normal time, Stuart Weidner was adjudged to have fouled in the box. Jamie Williams has a great record from penalties in recent years and added another save to his collection, guessing the right way and blocking the penalty with his body. It was a black and white shirt that reacted quickest to the rebound and the ball was cleared for a corner. The tie was destined for extra time.
With no substitutions left and already a couple of players soldiering on with injuries an additional 30 minutes was going to be a real test of character. And Challoner's showed plenty of that. Jamie Williams was soon called in to action again as he bravely came out to punch a hopeful Mill Hill flick over the top of the OCs' defence, colliding with an opposition forward in the process. Fortunately neither player was seriously hurt but the Mill Hill player required some treatment off the pitch and Jamie added his name to the list of walking wounded in the Challoners' team. Mid way through the first half of extra time and the 2s were really up against it. Another corner was not defended well enough and Mill Hill took the lead.
In the second half of extra time OCs threw caution to the wind as they pushed forward for the equaliser. With 7 minutes left their efforts were rewarded. Phil Bevins cutting in to the penalty area from the left ran through a half hearted tackle before firing low past the keeper. Believing now they had the upper hand Challoners pushed forward for the winner and moments later they got it. Neil Fitch's cross from the left was fumbled by the keeper who'd otherwise been excellent and Dave Cawley was on hand to roll the ball home. A cruel way to lose an exhilarating cup tie.
All 13 players worked hard to defend the 100% Epo Depot record and several limped off the pitch after 2 hours with battle wounds. The walls of the fortress had been battered but not breached!
Man of the match: Jamie Williams (again!). Maybe could have done better for the 1st goal but penalty save proved vital and bravely put his body on the line on several occasions. Provided the inspiration for the 10 in front of him to do the same.
