Old Challoners V Kings Old Boys IIs
Saturday 28 January

Team: Van Nistelgoalie, Lancaster, Bevins R, Lord, Weidner, Cawley, Croker, Dias, Bevins P, Rae, Fitch. Sub: Hendry

Score: 0:1
Scorers: Fitch 4, Thomas, Rae

The LOB Cup provided a welcome distraction from our stuttering performances in the league but with 7 players missing it was hard work putting 11 out on the pitch. On arrival we found probably the best facilities we have experienced for a long time however the pitch we were playing on was just under a mile away!

The pitches were in excellent condition and with a howling gale and 5 men in midfield it cried out for a controlled short passing game, not something we have been particularly great at of late. Playing into the wind we were always going to find it tough but in a half in which we did most of the defending we had the best opportunity to break the deadlock when Dias latched onto a Croker flick but unfortunately shot straight at the keeper when clean through, Half time 0-0.

With the wind at our backs we hoped to force Kings into more defensive work. We had our moments but they were too few in number to regularly worry the opposition keeper. Our best chances were notably when Dias was man handled when clean through on goal again only for the ref to cruelly ignore our protests and with Lordy heading wide from a set piece. With time running out and extra time looming, poor marking on the edge of our own box cost us dearly as a cross was nodded in at the back post. Full time 1-0 to Kings.

Man-of-the-match this week awarded to…I'm not sure as the match was over a fortnight ago and I can't remember but it's likely to have been a defender.

THE LANCASTER VERDICT:
Another game another big fat 0 in the goals scored column. As a wise man once said you can't win if you don't score and that's certainly been the case for us.