FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2007
FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round
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FRIDAY 12 OCTOBER 2007 FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round |
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| The confidence that should have been gained from five successive victories against Blue Square South opponents was absent as County seemed to freeze on the big occasion. But as Peter Beadle said after the game, there are going to more big occasions as the club progresses so the players are going to have to learn to deal with them.
Bath struck a huge blow as early as the fourth minute when Lee Collier handled just outside the corner of the penalty area. MARK McKEEVER had plenty to do as he lined up his free-kick but his shot was powerfully struck and perfectly placed to beat the outstretched arm of Glyn Thompson and curl beyond County’s very capable keeper into the top corner of the net. The goal was just what Bath’s former County boss John Relish needed and for the rest of the game it was his team that set the agenda.
They rarely threatened to extend their advantage but with Jason Bowen effectively shackled with doubled up marking throughout, County lacked the guile to break them down. On the other flank Richard Evans occasionally threatened with his pace, but the goal advantage enabled City to deploy two markers on the winger who was rarely able to get crosses in from his dangerous left foot.
Julian Alsop was as willing as ever, though he could have used more protection from referee Anthony Horton. The official’s positional play was poor and he was struck by the ball a couple of times and even managed to dispossess Lee Fowler late in the game when he could not get out of the substitute’s way. Three County players were given cards by the Wolverhampton whistler, with Alsop in particular unhappy at being cautioned when he thought he was the offended party. Damon Searle and Lee Jarman could have no such complaints though and despite a well-struck shot from Evans extending giant keeper Paul Evans, Bath comfortably held their advantage until half-time.
County were relying too much on Jules and could not get his strike partner Charlie Griffin involved enough and with Bath doing an effective job at stifling the home team’s dangermen, the match was lacking the anticipated cup-tie and derby atmosphere. Much of the second half had all the thrills and spills of a timeless chess match but Bath were not complaining and Beads made a double substitution midway through when he introduced Fowler in place of Collier and swapped Griffin with last Saturday’s late match winner Craig Hughes.
But it was his opposite number who showed the golden touch with a substitution on 73 minutes when he sent on striker PHIL WALSH and danced with delight seconds later when the son of former Bristol City forward Alan fired home from 20 yards. Beads went for broke when he then replaced defender Mark Dodds with another forward in Sam O’Sullivan and it seemed to be game on when IAN HILLIER scored his second goal against the Romans this term with a 15 yard header from an Evans corner. There were 10 minutes remaining plus fairly extensive stoppage time, but the best County could manage was an injury time effort from Nathan Davies which Paul Evans blocked with his legs.
So it is Bath who progress into the next round and they go forward with our best wishes following their well-deserved victory. Beads’ after match comments summed up the disappointment felt by the vast majority of County’s best crowd of the season.
He does not doubt his side’s ability but expressed his concern at their apparent lack of self-belief when things go wrong. There is of course plenty of time to put matters right, and a successful league campaign will compensate for the feeling of dejection at cup failure. But of course there is no guarantee that removal of this source of revenue will improve County’s chance of promotion, and while Bath will be confident of another success in their league visit in 12 days time, the Exiles should not be short of motivation to gain revenge for this cup defeat.
Man of the Match: County: Lee Jarman (solid as ever at the back). Bath: Mark McKeever (set the pattern for the game with his spectacular goal). |
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© Colin Jeremiah |
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