Did we go in to the match with the wrong attitude? Did we go into the match expecting to win? I don't think we did. We spoke before-hand about having the right attitude and the lads had the right attitude throughout the game.

I can't fault the teams performance; we played really well and it was always going to be one of those days when 5 really good chances missed signalled that our ball was not going to be in the hat!

The cup always brings a shock and this was definitely this rounds shock. A defeat we didn't deserve. Well we still have the league and 4th is our aim.

The match started well; we shifted the ball round well and created chances with good efforts from Joe Brierley, Matty Long and Chris Jones and at least one deserved to be converted.

With the chances going begging the inevitable happened... we conceded completely against the run of play.

The first half should have been ours... good inter-play from our hard working midfield with Dave Nestrowicz & Josu Vidal in the middle and Jack Clapham providing an attacking flair. But we just couldn't capitalise on this.

The half time talk was good and we went out positively and an equaliser was coming. A great ball through from Joe Brierley saw Jack Clapham up ended by the last defender. Should he have gone??? Yes! But amateur football prevailed and just a booking. Matty Long took the penalty with ease 1-1.

The rest of the match we couldn't convert our chances with some very unfortunate misses and the woodwork helping Red Rum.

I have to say Red Rum did the very best and did well to keep in the game with us and our easily better players. They had a good spirit battling well with Matthews, Carney, Fletcher & Robbo all playing well.

However whatever Red Rum could throw at us in the odd bit of possession was easily dealt with by our usual strong defence - Jay Russell, Kev Dodd, Chris Jones & Jordan Rimmer continuing their fine performances.

The upset was waiting to happen and Red Rum got their only chance of the 2nd half via a penalty which was converted.

We then went straight on the offensive and creating chances that culminated in 5 good opportunities being missed and hitting the wood work twice.

The Cup or just not our day? Perhaps the team have inherited a jinx that I feel I have carried. One cup final win, 20 final losses & 20+ semi final losses. Maybe then.

The team can be really proud of how they dominated the match and that they were the better team who deserved the win.

The quietness of the dressing room & the total emptiness of this loss only goes to prove how much we have moved forward as a team and the expectations we have put on ourselves.

We know we need to work hard and harder:
- win our individual battles.
- close down & track back
All the things that we can do that allows us to play football.

A hard defeat even harder because the team expects to win and are good enough to win each week.

Bring on the next match!

Lads expect the training night text from Joe. You are expected to attend training to compete for your position.

Race night is the 28th Feb. All will need to buy tickets & we hope to see you all there.