Wars suffer defeat in Surrey Premier Cup

Surrey Premier Cup – Tuesday 2nd November 2010
Warlingham 1 Worcester Park 1 AET
Worcester Park won 4-3 on penalties

This game, originally a Worcester Park home fixture, was switched to a Warlingham home game because of the need to play mid week with Worcester Park not having access to a ground with floodlights.

It was a clear crisp evening ideal for football and the pitch was looking ion reasonable condition despite resent weather.

Tucker had made a number of changes both using the depth of our strong squad and with one eye on the difficult fixture programme ahead.

Just one minute in and Macca was bursting down the line and delivering a dangerous cross to the near post which was held by Matt Martin in goal. Was this to be the case of a returning player causing havoc for his former team?

In the initial stages Worcester Park had the better of it and scored on 9 mins as a headed flick on down the Wars right was picked up on the edge of the area by the centre forward who beat the hesitant Matt Martin and despatched into the far corner. 1-0 Worcester Park.

Wars got themselves back into the game as it progressed with Greenhouse (N) and Chivers becoming more influential in midfield. But there were few chances in the first half hour.

As the half started to draw to a close Wars began to create more chances as first Hodgy with a flicked header from a corner and then Mart with a wayward shot after Neaves was fouled started to trouble the resolute Worcester Park backline.

On 38 mins Bugden found the ball at his feet in the 6 yard box and probably should have scored and as Worcester Park failed to clear Mart had a good shot well saved by the keeper at his near post. From the corner Lawson rose but could not make his header count. As the half came to a close the Worcester Park no11, who had spent most of the half being flagged offside, burst through and had a good shot which thankfully flew wide.

Half time 1-0 Worcester Park

Wars came out in the 2nd half looking a more determined unit and within 2 mins of the restart Bugden had a good shot saved. It was Bugden again who finally created the equaliser as he sprinted through the Worcester Park defence finding Mart out wide and his cross was converted after a scramble as Bugden met it at the near post. 1-1.

Now Wars were looking for victory as chance after chance came their way. Ang did well down the left after 71 mins and cut back unfortunately not managing to find the on rushing Wars forward line. Bugden crossed after 73 mins just behind Greenhouse but his feint touch fell to Neaves who shot wide. Worcester Park were clearly not out of it and up popped Macca after a quite game and blasted wide after 77 mins.
It was now anybody’s game and with Baker now on for Ang Wars finished normal time in threatening mode as he kept finding space down the right.

Into extra time and not a lot to report. Wars continued to threaten without hitting the target and Martin made a good save as Worcester Park tried to play on the break.

Final score 1-1 and into the dreaded penalties.

Wars lined up: Neaves/Higgins/Chivers/Baker/Pledge

Unfortunately Chivers blasted over and Pledgy hit the ball too close to the keeper and Warlingham finally went down 4-3 on penalties in a game they should really have finished off in normal time.

Team: Martin, Pledge, Lawson, Hodge, Brown (M), Mart, Greenhouse (N), Chivers, Neaves, Ang, Bugden Subs used: Higgins, Baker not used: Williams, Francis, Duffy

MOM: Bugden – always looked a threat and scored the equaliser in a good all-round performance.