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Manchester City
5(3) vs London Hibs 3(3)aet
Cup 1st round
Date: 08/10/00
Venue: Wormwood Scrubs
A terrible performance from
half-time onwards saw our cup hopes fall at the first hurdle. Against
a team from the division below we should have gone through comfortably even
allowing for a large number of absentees again.
With John, Bryn and Scot all
unavailable in goal Terry kindly volunteered
his services and in the first half touched the ball only twice. We
dominated possession and played some flowing football at times. Leigh
was everywhere in midfield, Paul showed some promising touches on his debut
and the defence never looked in any trouble. We took an early lead
when Russell headed home Adam's inswinging corner with power and precision.
Other chances came and went until Graeme's tidy finish to a sweeping move
put us well in control. The game should have been dead but their
'keeper pulled off some good saves to keep them in it.
However the second half saw a
complete reversal. They upped their effort while we took our foot off
the pedal. A good strike put them back in it and then poor defending
allowed Manchester City to score twice in as many minutes. From
complete control to disarray in 20 minutes.
With no substitutes we
couldn't change things as some players obviously weren't able to play 90
minutes never mind 120. In desperation Jim pushed forward and grabbed
an equaliser neatly lobbing Russell's pass over the goalie.
Extra time proved a step too
far. Simon picked up a nasty looking injury to his leg straight away
and thus we played with 10 men for most of the added period.
Manchester city looked the more likely and were rewarded for their extra
commitment with a goal in each half of extra time. Our cup dream was
over for another season.
This defeat was primarily
down to a lack of subs and too many players showing far more effort when we
were ahead than behind. On the first point we got away with it against
Doncaster 2 weeks before but weren't so fortunate this time. The
lesson has been harshly learnt. Players who can only make less than
50% of games aren't much use. Commitment starts before we take the
field. On the second count I can honestly say that is the first time
in my time with the club that we haven't showed the spirit required. Let's
make sure it was a one off.
We win as a team and
therefore we lose as one. No player who played was more or less guilty
than any other of lacking commitment as any player who didn't show was more
or less guilty than another. Let's put this behind us and we have a
huge match this weekend to get back on track. Middlesborough (3 wins
out of 3) at home (Barn Elm's) 2.30pm kick-off. Please could everyone show
the courtesy of a reply either to Kevin, Adam or David. This is the
least expected. We now have 13 games left of importance between now
and April. Please try and arrange schedules accordingly. We are 6
points better off in the league than this time last season. However
last season saw us drop only 4 points in those last 13 games. Same
again or better is the aim.
Team: Terry, Simon Hibbitt,
Jim McPherson, John Stevenson, Mark Grice, Paul Thomson, Adam Pomaro, Leigh
Everett, Russell Stinson, Graeme Thompson, Gerry Vavasour
MOM:Leigh Everett
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