Poor Reds Dumped Out

Firstly credit to JB Rangers who were the better side. Under a new manager and with some fresh faces they were well organised, worked hard and defended resolutely even with 10 men from 70 minutes onwards. They deserved to go through.

However they were aided by what was comfortably our worst performance of the season. We were flat throughout, never getting our of neutral and there was a real lack of quality in our possession play too.

JB started brightly, outworking us and outpassing us early on. There were no chances of note, but it was no surprise when they went ahead after 20 minutes. It was a poor goal to concede.

We responded in decent fashion and the returning Joey Stevens did brilliantly to win us a penalty just shy of the half hour mark. Unfortunately the keeper was equal to Luca Mortellaro's strike.

Luca made amends a few minutes later. Having won a free kick just outside their box he curled home his 2nd quality free kick in as many weeks.

Parity did not last long as we gifted them the lead again straight from the kick off.

With 20 minutes remaining JB were reduced to 10 men after their midfielder was sent off for foul and abusive language.

The quality of our game may not have improved, but we did equalise on 78 minutes when Oli Cochrane found Alex Zammit in the box who finished well into the far corner.

It went to extra time and although we did create some decent openings, JB defended stoically. In the past they may have lost their heads, but it didn't happen this morning. On another day, should we have been playing better we probably would have taken advantage of the extra man, but not this morning.

After 120 minutes it went to penalties and Luca fired home our first effort, but the remainder of our spot kicks mirrored our performance in the game. JB held their nerve and we could have no complaints at our exit from the League Cup at the 1/4 final stage. Going out on penalties is one of those things. It happens. If we had played to even half of our ability then we shouldn't have required the shootout.

Was this just an off day for us or should we be asking sterner questions of ourselves? For a few weeks we have been playing below par and today we paid the price. Our performance levels simply have to improve. It is now or never.

Next week we have to be stronger mentally, believe in ourselves and leave absolutely nothing on the pitch. Do that and I know we are capable of getting the result we need. We have to respond as a team.

Huge thanks to Lorry for running the line, and apologies for not getting on, to those who came down to support and to those who filmed.