Lions Made To Strain In Cup

CHANDLERS FORD 2-4 LOCKSHEATH
17.03.07 – LEAGUE CUP 1/4 FINAL

A vastly improved performance from the last time these sides met, saw Chandlers Ford go out of the cup with their heads held high.

With the A Division side being the clear favourites to win, and their 7-1 defeat over CFY in a pre-season friendly, it was a surprise to see the home side take the lead.

Saying that, it was thoroughly deserved as Chandlers Ford took the game to the Lions early on to get their just rewards with a positive attacking, team move. Jozef Montigue finished it off with a cheeky flick over the keeper, who got a hand to it but couldn't stop it from going into the top corner.

Locksheath hit back however, with a well-taken goal to equalise, catching CFY off guard on the counter attack, but full credit to the Blues who did not get down about this and continued to play the better football.

Montigue had a couple of similar chances to the one he took, come his way, but the goalscorer couldn't repeat the result and then the woodwork was struck with CFY looking in good shape. The excellent David Harris received the ball from a throw in on the left and got past his marker with ease before lashing a belting shot that rattled the crossbar. It was a great effort and very unlucky not to have put CFY back in front.

Unfortunately, despite playing very well against better opponents, they conceded a second goal and went in at half time very unfortunate to be a goal behind, having dominated so much of the play.

HALF TIME – CFY 1-2 Locksheath Lions

After a very impressive first half, Chandlers Ford slipped slightly and Locksheath were able to put their foot down and find weaknesses to extend their lead.

Karthik Basker, as always, put in an inspired performance between the sticks making some fantastically brave saves to not only give confidence to his defence but keep the scores fairly tight as well.

Ford held their opponents for a good 10-15 minutes before conceding a needless penalty when Robbie Hurst handled the bar inside the area. Locksheath failed to take advantage this time though and shot comfortably wide of goal.

They did go on to score two more shortly after this incident to effectively kill the game off. Their last goal in particular was a big disappointment from the home side who literally stood off and watched as the ball was struck, unchallenged, past the helpless Basker, who had no chance.

With time running out, CFY grabbed a late consolation through Michael Wall. Miles Hodge, who had come on and done very well with some nice touches, flicked the ball on perfectly out to the left for Michael Wall who controlled a looping shot that looked to be going over but dipped at just the right time. The goalkeeper tried to keep the strike out but it had already crossed the line.

A fantastic display from CFY, to build on two equally good performances in the league last weekend. There were a whole lot of positives to take from the game and despite the result everyone can be proud of their achievements.

FULL TIME –CFY 2-4 Locksheath Lions