Robert Smyth 3 – Guthlaxton College 2

On a warm afternoon, Robert Smyth hosted a confident and boisterous Guthlaxton team, hoping to extend their run in the National Cup with this, second round fixture. Guthlaxton started of the better of the two teams, with the players looking to move the ball around, which allowed them to play the better of the football. Their reward was a well-finished goal from Jack Crisp, who headed home a cross, made by Jordan Small.

Guthlaxton continued to push after the deadlock was broken and within minutes were pushing forward with Jordan Small and David Casey firing wide. However, it was Robert Smyth who countered 8 minutes later when a through ball found their front man with a lot of space and, with time on his side, was able to find the top corner and draw level. Thing got worse for the Guthlaxton boys when, after 30 minutes Robert Smyth scored a second goal when a low shot found the bottom left corner and went in off the post to delight of the home supporters.

Half time came, and Mr Quail rang in the changes, this seemed to halt the Robert Smyth attacks, which allowed for Guthlaxton to push on forwards and start to again, build momentum in the Robert Smyth half. Things change later on in the second half when Ryan Parry saw red after a scuffle with a Robert Smyth player who also received the same treatment. With both teams down to ten men, the game opened up in favour of Guthlaxton and then with an equaliser being sensed by the Guthlaxton boys, Jordan Small delivered with a fine goal to level the score with 10 minutes remaining.

By now both teams were showing nerves, but Guthlaxton College looked the stronger of the two teams. However with two minutes to go a Robert Smyth breakaway resulted in a dubious through ball to a Robert Smyth striker, who finished to sink the Guthlaxton dream of the next round. Now the boys will turn their heads to the opening league fixture vs. De Lisle School, and the second round of the County Cup against John Cleveland College.

Published on Thursday 9th October 2008 at 09:00