FA Cup Defeat

So, our FA Cup journey lasted only one game after the squad made the long trip to Hellenic League Ardley United. Remarkably, nine members of the previous weeks squad were unavailable meaning seven changes to the starting line up. Even more remarkable was that Ben Dainton was the first player at the game! Only Andy Rider, Jake Griggs, Ben Dainton and Dan Cox remained from the home draw against Sheerwater. Ben Small and Jacob McDonald took their place in the starting XI after being substitutes the previous week. Dan Moore returned while Scott Hill made his first appearance of the season. Three players made their debuts for the club; Ben Moore, Martin White and Ross Cheek.

Given the new appearance of the team we made a very encouraging start, pressurising the home side into mistakes and attacking with purpose. However, we fell behind after defending a set piece very poorly and soon after conceded a second when the home team capitalised on us losing possession in our own half. Going forward, we looked dangerous. Ben Moore was marauding down the right wing while brother Dan was putting in a industrious display. Ross Cheek was finding gaps behind the Ardley midfield and almost halved the deficit when his 25 yard strike rattled the crossbar. Just when we would have settled for a two goal deficit at half time going up the ample slope we conceded a third when the Ardley winger finished a ball over the top.

A few structural changes were made at half time and the aim was to start the second half as we had the first. We did just that and the pressure told when Dan Moore grabbed his first Ash United goal with a neat finish. We pushed to get the second which would have really frightened the home team but to no avail. Ryan Matthews and Jayson Dalton both came on to make their debuts in the second half. Ardley scored two late goals to give them a flattering scoreline but really the damage was done in the first half when we conceded three goals from mistakes.

Despite the score I was very encouraged with the overall performance. With so many changes to the team it was always likely to be a difficult afternoon but several of the players who came into the team really took their chance. This will give me a selection headache for the next league fixture which can only be a good thing.

Team; Rider, B.Moore, Small, Hill (Matthews), Griggs, White, Dainton, D.Moore, Cheek, McDonald, Cox (Dalton)

Unused Subs; Reed, Watmore, Fitzpatrick

Scorer; D.Moore

Man of the Match; B.Moore