Penalty Heartache In County Cup

The County Cup 3rd round draw saw us drawn against league leaders Atletico and following two consecutive weeks of postponements the game was switched to Breckside Park. We were missing several key players and with no first choice right back a change of shape saw us line up in a 3-4-3 formation. Dan Edge, Sam O'Neill & Antwone Duke were the defensive trio with Ethan Danku and Jude Carroll deployed as wing backs with skipper Paddy Clegg partnering Souley Soumahoro who was making his first start since 17th September. Kaleb Sweeney occupied the number 10 position with Charlie Hacking and Gift Sibanda leading the line. Our game plan was well executed and although Atletico slightly edged it in terms of chances created defensively we were outstanding.

Sibanda won and scored a penalty just after the break and we held our one goal lead until the 88th minute. Atletico's corners were dangerous all afternoon but we dealt with everything threw at us. On this occasion the ball came into a crowded area and fell to their number 5 who smashed the ball home. It was a tough one to take especially as we had come so close to getting a great result in normal time.

The game was settled on pens and sadly it wasn't to be for us and we crashed out the County Cup. We done so however with immense pride and a performance that will give us a huge boost of confidence for the remainder of the league campaign. We've still got to play Atletico home and away and one thing this performance will show is that we certainty wont be going down without a fight.