- Sunny
- Dry
- Weak
Although there was a positive feeling amongst the squad for this FA Cup match, no one was under any illusions of how hard the task ahead would be. With a depleted squad, we were only able to take 3 substitutes, not a great position to be in when there is no rolling subs in the FA Cup. It also meant a full Ladies debut for Katie between the sticks who came into the game confident after only conceding 1 in the 3 pre-season friendlies.
Netherton started brightly and in the 2nd minute, Kerry played in Stacey and as the goalkeeper advanced Stacey was only able to knock the ball wide of the post, what a start that would have been.
On 12 minutes, Moulton took the lead, a good finish from a build up we were unable to deal with.
On 15 minutes we found ourselves 2-0 down as their forward took the ball around Katie before placing the ball into the net.
It only took a further 3 minutes for Netherton to get a goal back in bizarre circumstances. An innocuous ball back to the opposition goalkeeper was completely mishit and Hannah was on hand to control the ball and just walk it into the net.
We were now pressing hard and a Rachel free kick found Stacey at the back post but she headed narrowly wide and another Rachel free kick narrowly cleared the bar from 35 yards out.
The equaliser was to come on 39 minutes and it was thoroughly deserved after consistent Netherton pressure. Megan P played a sublime ball forward to Hannah who had plenty of work to do, but she persevered and was able to slot the ball in the net for her second of the game.
Disaster was on us on 41 minutes though when our influential midfielder Megan P picked up a nasty looking ankle injury. She was given a couple of minutes to see if she could recover but was unable to. This allowed Georgina to come on for her full Ladies debut.
On the stroke of half time, another crunching challenge so Kerry go down and she was also carried off the pitch with a knee injury and was to play no further part in the game, replaced by Tia at half time.
HT 2-2
We now had two non-central midfielders in the centre of midfield, all we could do was ask them to do their best.
Although Moulton were applying more pressure for most of the second half, we never really looked in too much trouble at the back until Moulton were able to cross in from the right on 77 minutes and this was duly converted to make it 2-3.
All the Netherton team had put in so much effort and Jenna who had complained of groin pain within 15 minutes of kick off finally came off to be replaced by Jazzy.
FT 2-3
We were up against in from before the kick off today with so few options on the bench. Those players that played can hold their heads high as they never gave in and battled until the final whistle. The whole club should be proud of you and on another day the score could have been totally different.
Although a magnificent team effort, Captain fantastic Tash Anderson won player of the match for a majestic and dominant display at the back.
It would have been nice to have a decent FA Cup run but it wasn't to be. We now start our league campaign next week with a home tie against Huntingdon.
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