Home vs FC Elmstead (Selkent Cup) 10Dec23

Match report by Ciaran Larkin

This is our first cup game of the season as we had a bye in the first round. And it is against a side who are in the league above us. We also had only 11 players for this game, so no ability to make any changes and hope for no injuries.
When we kicked off, Elmstead were keen to play the ball through us rather than over the top. And with only 11 we didn’t mind that as we kept a really strong shape with our backline. Our first goal came courtesy of Jake from about 25 yards out as he lobbed the keeper. They however responded quickly as a long ball found Alex who headed back to Romeo, but Romeo had come out anticipating the ball, and Alex found the back of his own net to level the game up. But their lead was short lived as a corner went through to Jake at the back post who had one touch to set himself before smashing it into the goal to give us our lead back. Our day then got better as a ball from Matt found Jude who slotted past the keeper to make it 3-1. We were then pushed back but we countered well which led to our 4th goal as Leo held the ball up inside the box who squared it to Ciaran for 4-1 going into half time.
The second half started and we took our foot off the gas a little bit as we weren’t generating as many chances compared to Elmstead, but we still looked dangerous when going forward. We just wanted to put the game to bed but they did get back into the game following a rebound from a shot on the edge of the box to make it 4-2. Then Elmstead started having the ball in dangerous areas but with little to trouble Romeo. However, with about 3 minutes left they won a penalty which they converted to make it 4-3. However we saw the game out to take us into the quarter finals which will be played in early January.
Great game and a deserved MoM from Jake with his 2 goals and all round combative display to drive the team to victory.
Well played to everyone who was there and we go again next week.