FA Cup Dream continues.

Thurnby Nirvana ran out comfortable winners at the expense of Lincoln Moorlands in this FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie.
There were no changes made to the starting line-up as Manager Damien Quailey decided to stick with the starting 11 from the game against Cognenhoe United.
The opening 20 minutes saw neither team able to place any authority on the game with the odd opening but no clear cut chances. It appeared Lincoln Moorlands were content with the draw from the first whistle as they made no attempt to play the game at any pace and decided to spend as much time as possible as wasting time every time the ball went out of play.

The Opening goal of the game came on 28 minutes, when Ashley “Danger man” Day wrong footed the Lincoln moorlands goalkeeper and leaving him no chance from a direct free kick which was placed into the bottom left hand side of the goal.

Straight from kick off Thurnby Could see this goal had rattled the visitors and it wasn’t long before they had their second.

Some lovely interplay on the edge of the 18 yard box and a brilliantly disguised through ball from Will Gonga putting Brett Marvin through for a 1 on 1 but to the disappointment of the Lincoln Moorlands keeper saving Brett’s shot with his feet, Matt Melbourne was first to react and tap the ball in to beat the defender to it.

As Thurnby continued to have the greater possession it left Lincoln with no choice but to press the Thurnby defence and attack more at a greater pace therefore leaving holes in the midfield which is how the 3rd goal arrived on the stroke of half time.

Luke Day found Reece Morris in the visitors half who turned and ran at the defence before dropping his shoulder and unleashing an unstoppable drive into the top right hand corner of the net which left the goalkeeper clutching thin air.

The Second half was a very scruffy affair with Thurnby Eager to see the remainder of the tie out and Lincoln resulting to long balls and trying to be as direct as possible which the Thurnby defence had no problem dealing with.

After some questionable decisions from the referee throughout the game, a big talking point came on 60 minutes when a long ball cleared the Thurnby Defence and Will Gonga, Chasing the midfielder runner got wrong side of the Lincoln player and once there was any contact from behind, there was only going to be one outcome which left Thurnby playing the last 30 minutes of the game with 10 men.

A change from from the management team saw Sean Doy and Jurelle Phillips make their first appearances of the season and also to provide some fresh legs if Thurnby were to see the game out.

With chances at both ends of a very open game, the tie was all but sealed on 73 minutes when Morris scored his second of the game, dribbling on the edge of the box before dispatching a left footed drive into the right side of the net through a crowded box leaving the keeper with no chance one again.

A consolation goal for Lincoln came on 80 minutes after some sloppy defending and mis communication resulted in Simon Mowbray side footing under the oncoming James Flinders in the Thurnby Goal.

However Thurnby Nirvana had the last word as Jurelle Phillip scored on his first appearance of the season beating the keeper at his near post with a cool volley after a squared ball.

Thurnby have been rewarded with an away tie in the next qualifying round of the FA Cup at Mickleover Sports who ply their trade in the Evo Stik league and play in Derbyshire. Everyone involved at the club are hopeful Thurnby can provide a cup upset, coming into the tie as big under dogs.

A great victory for Thurnby Nirvana and their first win of the season which should provide the squad with some much needed confidence for the upcoming league fixtures and the future FA Cup/vase games. With Thurnby yet to be playing at their best, Thurnby can hope this victory kick starts their season and the boys can start to progress in the league ranks with a very challenging home game against Wisbech town.

MOM- Reece Morris, 2 Great goals and a constant threat throughout the game.

Attendance 45.
Author- Luke Day