LONGBENTON FC 3 - 5 Cramlington Town 'A'

LONGBENTON FC vs Cramlington

After victory against Cramlington only the week before Longbenton were confident that they could reproduce that result and cement their place at the top of the cup group. A couple changes in the side since the previous 2 matchs lead to a change in formation as the Bulls adopted the more attacking 4-3-3.

The away team started the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded with a goal after only 5 minutes of play, an unchallenged header at the back post beating the Bulls keeper. Longbentons response was almost instantaneous, a nice passage of play down the right resulted in a ball being played into the box, a well placed header by David Short levelled the score at 1 - 1.

Longbenton then began to crumble, conceeding 3 goals in quick succession leaving then on the wrong side of a 4 - 1 score line. With only 5 minutes of the half remaining the Bulls eventually began to string passes together, goals from Rob Woods and Anthony Peel brought the game back to 3 - 4 and again Longbenton were back in the game. The first half whistle sounded and although behind the Bulls were happy to still be in the game.

Longbenton could not find the form with which they ended the first half and although they dominated possession Cramlington defended well, looking to hit the Bulls on the counter. The away side scored again with only 10 minutes of the game to play countering Longbenton who had committed men forward in an attempt to get a goal.

The game ended 3 - 5 in favour of the away side. The Bulls forced to pay the price for a slow start and were chasing the game for 70 minutes. Anthony Peel was awarded Man of the Match.