Rugby 0 - Guthlaxton 2
| Team: | 1XI Football |
| Competition: | National Cup |
| Date: | 2nd October |
| Result: | Won 2-0 |
Man of the Match: Joe Dowsing
An away trip to Rugby was on the cards for the 2nd round of the National Cup for Guthlaxton’s premier team. With most of last years squad moving onto university it was down to the new young guns to mould together quickly and play the football they were capable of.
From the start Guthlaxton settled well and moved the ball well. They looked comfortable on the ball with the middle three really controlling proceedings. Josh Dixon on the right hand side showed great width and this was exploited well throughout the first twenty minutes. The first chance fell to Dixon after great work Orton had found Dixon in acres. His first touch killed the ball dead, second round the keeper and third blazed over the bar from 6 yards. Gutho’s second chance came from excellent work down the left, between Murray and Love which found Dowsing in space. His ball over the top found an advancing Lever who floated a lovely ball back across goal. With half the team celebrating an easy tap in for Dowsing the other half stood in amazement as he managed to miss the ball and then rugby tackle the keeper, before celebrating a goal.
The first goal did come from a long throw by Hohn, flicked on at the near post by Nathan Higgs, on debut, and nodded in by Dowsing to open his account for the season. Gutho then controlled the play well creating several good opportunities before finally bagging their second. Dowsing split the back four well and Orton pressed through the gap, drew the last defender and squared the ball to Higgs to tap in. However some debate has followed as many think this turned out to be an own goal. Higgs is still trying to convince everyone he got the last touch.
More of the same followed in the second half, but Guthlaxton could not finish any opportunities they created. A lack of believe in keeping the ball meant that at times it was like watching Wimbledon as the ball travelled backwards and forwards. Baldwin made all five subs and introduced both Earls and Kirby for the 1st team debuts. The back three deserve a special mention for the second have halting of the long ball onslaught with special credit to Jack Ridley also making his first start.
A comfortable win, but one which will be remembered by those who travelled for many reasons other than the football. A win is a win, better to win ugly than not win at all.
Great start to the season, foundations firmly set and the County Cup, League Cup and National Cup all still to play for.
Published on Thursday 2nd October 2008 at 09:00