Chequers United 0 V 4 Plumtree

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Chequers United 0 Plumtree 4

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">(Omar Kocacik 3, Matt Court 1)

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">County Cup 1st Round, Sunday 28th September 2008

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Despite having 20 willing players on Thursday evening, we were hit by a large number of late drop outs on Friday , Saturday and Sunday which left Manager Atkin with 11 fit players (and himself nursing a broken finger) for the game against Chequers United.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Despite having a shortage of defenders, the 11 players were of the highest quality and with Mark Hawkins agreeing to play at right back, the team took to the field.&nbsp; Our opposition were Chequers United who were top of our league following an unbeaten start to the season.&nbsp; After having 2 weeks off and only having 11 fit players, this was always going to be a tough ask to progress into the second round.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The game started in a lively fashion with Plumtree creating a number of chances with Hawkins and Kenward linking well on the right hand side of the pitch.&nbsp; Despite controlling the first 15 minutes, Chequers had the 2 best chances of the game with Matt Fry making a couple of good saves to keep the scores level.&nbsp; After 20 minutes, the course of the game was changed as the referee had no alternative but to send off the Chequers goalkeeper for handling outside his area.&nbsp; With the opposition down to 10 men and a reserve keeper in goal, it looked like the game was there for the taking.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">As often happens when a team goes down to 10 men, they suddenly found an extra gear and put Plumtree under sustained pressure.&nbsp; The defence, marshalled expertly by Chris Kay held firm and on the break and against the run of play, Plumtree scored the opener.&nbsp; Matt Court passed the ball to Omar who we all expected to unleash a powerful shot but instead lofted a delicate chip over the stranded keeper for his first league goal of the season.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">With five minutes to go until half time, the referee saw red for the second time.&nbsp; A Chequers player appeared to aim a head butt at Paul Thomas and was given a straight red.&nbsp; Inexplicably, Paul was then given a yellow card for no apparent reason.&nbsp; Two minutes later, Matt Court doubled Plumtrees lead with a calm finish from inside the box. Half time, Chequers United 0 Plumtree 2.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The second half kicked off and after a tough first half, the Plumtree players were starting to show signs of fatigue as the opposition tried to claw their way back into the game. After a period of resolute defending, Plumtree scored their third goal. Matt Court passed to Ryan Kenward, who floated in a perfect cross, which Omar headed powerfully into the net from 6 yards out.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Even at 3 goals down, the opposition continued to press and Andy Cameron was cautioned for kicking the ball away. Then with 5 minutes to go, Omar completed his hat trick after another pass from Matt Court was smashed effortlessly into the side of the goal.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">&nbsp;

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The game finished 4-0 to Plumtree and without the 2 sendings off, it would have been a much closer fought game.&nbsp; All in all it was an excellent team performance from 11 players who all battled for 90 minutes and will doubtless be feeling sore today.