U18's Cup disappointment
The Under-18’s suffered a disappointing quarter final defeat as their visitors, Glebe, executed the perfect smash and grab.
The home side dominated the game for huge periods and when they finally broke down a resilient Glebe defence after 67 minutes it seemed that the path to the semi final had been set but the visitors responded with two headed goals leaving a sense of frustration and missed opportunity.
Dom Welsh, never lost for words, was almost that: “Less said the better. We dominated the game but through lapses of concentration we were punished. We deserved what we got in the second half, good luck to Glebe in the semi-final.”
It was a filthy night at Longmead with driving rain sending supporters of both sides to the covered areas.
The pattern of the game was set from the outset with the Angels pressing forward but too often a misplaced pass, overhit cross and stubborn defending saw attacks break down with no end product.
Half-time arrived with the game goalless but the deadlock appeared to have been broken early in the second half when Robert Penman found the net but the goal was denied by the assistant referee’s flag.
Glebe fired a couple of warning shots across the bows of the Angels back line when Josh Hanson was asked to save on 50 minutes and from a corner, a header when well placed was steered wide.
Despite this, it continued to be the Angels that held the vast majority of possession with Penman shooting wide on the hour before they finally made their breakthrough when Callum Fincham broke clear down the right to across to the far post where Fiachra Pritchard was on hand to tuck the ball home.
Stung into a more positive mindset after going behind, Glebe instantly brought a save from Hanson and, after 76 minutes, a free kick sent to the far post found a header that Hanson desperately tried to keep out at the post, but the referee adjudged that the ball had crossed the line for the visitor’s equaliser.
The goal completely changed the momentum of the game and following a succession of Glebe corners, a clearance bounced up on the edge of the box from where an arriving defender headed upwards for the ball to loop over Hanson and into the net.
Five minutes remained and Glebe naturally resorted to what they had done excellently for most of the game, defending resolutely to see the game to its conclusion and enjoy the full time celebrations of a place in the last four.