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EARLY TROPHY EXIT FOR VICS |
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Written by Peter Wilson
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Saturday, 15 December 2007 |
Saturday 15th December FA Trophy 1st round
Vauxhall Motors 2 (Field 9 Brannan 75)
Vics 1 (Steele 49)
Vics crashed out of the FA Trophy in a most disappointing style.
Arguments could be made around some refereeing decisions, but in the end Vics did not exhibit the quality, or at times, the commitment to overcome their ever-willing opponents.
An early irony was that it was former Vics loanee keeper Andrew Murphy that prevented his new team from falling behind by keeping out a 12 yard shot from Greg Strong. And his new colleagues were quick to take advantage and once Williams had ceded possession all too easily, play was switched to the left where Brown was left wanting , allowing time and space to set up FIELD with consummate ease. The game was barely 10 minutes old and Dino Maamria's men were having to work hard to get back into it.
And the best player on the park, Paul Taylor, was determined to make life difficult. He turned Kerr easily but his finish flashed inches wide. Steele looked Vics' best bet for a goal and he went close following a more encouraging 4 man move, twice threatened without achieving before Brown had to make a block on his line after the home side had been the victims of two desperate blocks from two goal bound attempts.
Dino clearly had a number of harsh words to say at the break and his team came out in a far more offensive and positive manner.
This had a virtual immediate effect and when Danny Williams did well to make an interception and feed Luke Horrocks his precise cross allowed STEELE to level the score with another quality finish.
Sadly , moments later Steele limped from play to be replaced by Farquharson and at the same time Vauxhall took the initiative. Dangerman Taylor beat three players only to be denied by a Tynan save. Vics substitute Michael Byrne exhibited a similar level of skill only to see his final effort rap the woodwork. It was left to the most accomplished player on the pitch Paul Taylor, to deliver an inch perfect cross for BRANNAN to score with a close range header. Moments later, Williams appeared to have equalised but the referee adjudged that Akins had illegally used his hand within the move. Vics' hopes were further damaged by the sending off of Natt Kerr thirteen minutes from time for a second bookable offence although at the death Murphy was forced to produce a magnificent goal line save to deny Akins.
Team; 4-4-2
Tynan
Rusk/ Kerr/ Strong/ Brown
D Williams/ Wilson/Carr(Byrne 45 minutes)/ Horrocks
Steele (Farquharson 51minutes)/Akins
Subs not used; Connett/Maylett/Johnson
Man of the Match: Lee Steele
A message from Dino Maamria:
He would like to thank the fans for their continued support and enthusiasm, and to say that both he and the players were disappointed with the outcome. Although he was concerned that the work rate was not always what he had hoped for today. He was also disappointed that they didn't always keep to his game plan. On a positive note it was good to see Michael Byrne coming back and with that in mind he's sure that they can make it up to the fans next week.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 05 March 2008 )
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