After last weeks tonking Abbots were looking to recuperate with a Challenge Cup game away against Harvesters South who are currently sitting 4th in the Yellow division. On paper it should have been an easy win, but the only certainty is uncertainty at the moment so significant respect was due to our opponents who had knocked out Abbots Blues in the previous round. With due respect paid Abbots managed to dispatch their spirited opponents easing to a 6 – 1 victory.
Abbots pressed forward and won a corner which was half cleared out to Will who neatly (by accident or on purpose) made a ‘pass’ into the net from range to put the Abbots boys 1 – 0 up and record his first goal of the season and the seventh in his illustrious Abbots Youth career.
Undeterred a very spirited South hit back and forced Joshua to make some fine saves to keep Abbots goal intact. Abbots began to get in their stride and some fine flowing football was well repulsed by a dogged defence and some good goalkeeping.
The pressure was building as the South’s keeper was busier than Gordon Brown, but eventually Matt managed to force a goal in despite two outstanding point blank saves the second of which fell to Matt who hammered it in from close range.
Abbots were in the ascendancy as Evan was playing a blinder by blinding the defence with lime green boots which seemed to mesmerise the right back (takes me back to that Watford legend Nordin Wooter who had quick feet and silver boots but was only half as good as Evan!!)
The move of the match was then to provide Abbots 3rd goal as Will won the ball in defence, slipped it through to Liam who looked up and a cross field ball found Matt in space, he then delivered a delicious angled pass for Andrew who was running in from the right, one touch for control and the ball was crisply dispatched past the diving keeper into the corner of the net 3 – 0 Abbots.
Half time; 3 – 0 Abbots
Abbots had their foot on the throttle and pressed Harvesters, but a break from midfield saw their first half keeper (who had swapped at half time) cruise past a half hearted challenge in midfield and a lack of concentration in defence let South in for a goal deserved for sheer perseverance if nothing else. 3 -1 to Abbots.
The flicker of belief was with South, briefly, as they hit the post and forced another fine save from Joshua. Hope was totally extinguished as Tom’s shot was deflected in 4 – 1 Abbots. Abbots soon added a fifth with Andrews good run and shot being deflected in. Alfie won the ball at the back and a smart pass to Evan saw his mazy run end with a shot that hit the bar. Abbots pressure was incessant as they won three corners in quick succession but couldn’t convert any of them.
Abbots were on a run and scored a 6th when Tom’s cross was blocked, the deflection fell back to him and he looked up and deftly chipped the ball over the keepers head into a welcoming net. Abbots finished strongly with Matt blasting a shot just wide after some good passing movement.
A comfortable 6 – 1 victory was just what the doctor ordered (as Abbots policy is to concentrate on the cups and give the league title a miss this year) and sets us up for our next league game at home against Croxley Pumas.
Man of the match: Evan
The crowd: 14 - thank you
Squad: Joshua, Matt, Will, Sam, Andrew, Thomas, Liam, Alfie & Evan