The old adage, a game of 2 halves was clearly evident tonight in the County Senior Cup tie as United reached the games halfway point obnley trailing 3-2 and still very much in with a chance of winning the game bit a second half collapse saw then concede 9 without reply to lose 11-2.
The home side, in amore senior league than United started well and pushed United back taking the lead on 8 minutes with a left wing cross that was headed home, a few minutes later they increased the lead to 2 -0 with another header but the response from United was positive with Cory Goodwin unleashing a 35 yard shot that hit the post, a threaded pass from Goodwin looked as if it might set Steve Ellor free but the ball got tangled between his legs and the ball was cleared. United continued to push to reduce the arrears and they did so when Aiden Oakley surged down the right and his cross was side footed home by Ellor to make it 2-1. A linesman then gave a soft free kick against United and with the ball lofted into the penalty area and with the marking not as good as it should have been the ball was tucked away to make it 3-1. Not downhearted United against went to push their opponents back and the energetic Aiden Oakley took possession near half way before moving forward and from 30 yards struck a fearsome shot which gave the keeper no chance and make the score 3-2 at the break. All to play for?
Unfortunately the high hopes of the first period vanished quite quickly in the second 45, an force change with Oakley going off injured and an early volley from distance re-established the home sides 2 goal advantage and from the then on goals went in on a regular basis leaving United shell shocked and wondering how such a promising first period could have changed so dramatically in the second. Nine unanswered goals went in as United went down 11-2 for their heaviest defeat since reformation in 2011. As the TV advert goes, put the cup final suits away until next year.