The Pinks started the game well, exerting early pressure on the opposition goal, as Bobby broke into the box, beating the keeper but seeing his effort rebound off a post – as the ball bounced back across the box, the Whites were caught on their heels allowing Chapeltown to clear. The home team continued their early pressure, and shortly after a shot from Gustav was well parried by the Chapeltown keeper, but again the Pinks failed to capitalise on the rebound.

Chapeltown then had a flurry of corners, causing the Pinks problems. The last in a string of corners was poked home by the opposition to give them the lead. The game ebbed and flowed to half time with both sides having good chances, and Oliver Brooke making an outstanding last ditch tackle to protect his goalkeeper. The Pinks hadn’t been at their best in the first half but had done enough not to go in at the break behind.

The Pinks begun the second half in much better shape. Dan took a hold in midfield and Ryans range of passing started to tell. After Archie won a free kick 25 yards from goal, Omar was unlucky to see his effort fall narrowly the wrong side of the goal with the keeper well beaten. Another good move from the Pinks saw Gustav play Omar through, who despite looking to have beat the offside trap, was pulled back after a deft finish had beaten the keeper. The Pinks continued to exert the pressure; as Chapeltown looked to play on the counter they were met with some brilliant defending on the front foot from Oliver and Josh who constantly stepped into win the ball and launch attacks.

The Pinks won another free kick, again 25 yards from goal. As it looked for all the world that Omar had found the top corner, he was denied by an outstanding save from the opposition keeper who turned the ball onto the bar. The Pinks were relentless in their attacking play, Josh won the ball on half way, before playing through to Gustav who slammed the ball past the keeper and into the roof of the net. The Pinks were playing some fantastic football in the second half. However, as Chapeltown broke, they won a free kick on the edge of the area; as the ball was blasted over the wall and towards the goal, Charlie pulled of an incredible save to deflect the ball onto the bar and away. As the ball broke wide for Chapeltown, a long range strike was hammered into the top left hand corner, leaving Charlie with no chance as the opposition regained the lead.

Despite the set-back the Pinks showed great spirit to continue to press forward. Gustav was played through, breaking the offside trap. As he raced clear into the box he was taken down following a challenge from behind, however, the referee waved play on. The Pinks continued to press but were unable to break down a resolute opposition, whose 2 defensive players were the outstanding performers from Chapeltown.

After an incredible run of results since late September, the Whites squad were incredibly unfortunate to bow out of the cup today. Whilst there are things the squad need to work on, they have shown great progression since the beginning of the season, and will now look to welcome Alex Staveley into the squad who was cup-tied today.

It was an incredibly tough choice from MOTM today, with Charlie and Oliver playing incredibly important roles for their team. It was such hard luck for the boys that they conceded 2 goals following this performance, one of which was a set piece, and the second being a contender for goal of the season. However, the award this week goes to Josh Padgett – following a solid first half, Josh really stepped up in the second half – he constantly won the ball high up the pitch to launch attacks for his team and was rewarded with his first assist of the season, in what will be his last game for a few weeks due to a minor upcoming operation.

Ash and Jamie were incredibly proud of the boys performance and at the end of the game lead to the team over to their supporters for a well deserved ovation. Although our cup exploits are over for the season, we have some incredibly important games as we look to finish the League standing in as high a division as possible. Good luck to Chapeltown in the rest of the competition.