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Sat 29th Aug 2009
F A Cup 1st Qualifying Round
Sponsored by Phil Casserley
TAFC First team 0-4 Slough Town
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Our interest in the world’s oldest cup competition is over for another year after this comprehensive defeat by Slough Town. Our opponents play one level above us in the exotically named Zamaretto League Midlands Division, otherwise known as the Southern League to most people, so this was always going to be a real hard test. But we were severely handicapped just past the half hour mark when we were reduced to 10 players following Matt Myatt’s extremely harsh sending off for a challenge that demanded no more than a booking. Everyone was shocked when the Referee brought out a red card and even the Slough supporters were shaking their heads in disbelief. At the time we were 1-0 down and although it has to be admitted Slough were well in command there was always a glimmer of hope. Playing such a good team for an hour with a player short meant that hope was greatly diminished.
Unfortunately midfield inspiration and captain Graham Hall was unavailable for the game as was Andy Mullins, and Mark Burfoot took over the skipper’s arm band. Also absent were keepers Tom Vincent, through injury, and Dave Clark so Sam Mazurek made his debut and the big keeper did well and could not be faulted for the goals. The visitors surged forwards from the off with Craig O’Connor proving to be a real handful with his movement and strong runs. Our defence had to be strong against a series of dangerous crosses and shots. It therefore came as no surprise when Slough opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Again it was O’Connor who caused the problem and when his cross was cleared away and Tyron Sealey seized on the loose ball in the area and fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net to put his side 1-0 ahead.
An early goal was just what we did not want as Slough poured forward looking to kill the game off. Sam Mazurek saved a good shot from Danny Jordan and must have been relieved when Steve Sinclair headed a dangerous cross over. The Referee bizarrely awarded a corner which was met by Nathan Bowder Haase, forcing Marurek to tip it over. The 3rd corner saw us block a shot before the danger was eventually cleared.
We were finding it hard to get into the game and we had to wait until the 28th minute to create our first goal attempt. Dave Whicker’s first free kick from the right was blocked but his 2nd attempt deceived Slough’s keeper Ricky Perk’s and the ball bounced across an empty goal with Mark Burfoot just unable to get a connection. Slough had 2 goals disallowed for fouls and in the 31st minute came the moment of controversy when Matt Myatt got his marching orders.
We needed to dig in and keep the score at 1-0 until half time when we could regroup. Mazurek tried his best to achieve that aim by tipping a shot from Paul Edgeworth over and then clearing an effort from Tyron Sealey with his legs. But with 2 minutes to go to the break the big Slough centre back Nathan Bowder-Haase headed in a corner to give Slough a commanding 2-0 lead at half time.
HT: TA 0 SL 2
We didn’t do ourselves justice in the first 45 minutes and we are capable of playing much better. Phil Casserley brought on Chris Salmon for Jack Copson and boldly changed to a 3-4-2 formation. Although we conceded 2 more goals in the 57th and 84th minutes, both scored by Danny Jordan, we played better and could have scored a goal or two ourselves.
In the 53rd minute Tony Fields did well on the edge of the area to create some space and his shot was tipped over by the keeper. Three minutes later Darren Franklin won the ball and hit a fierce shot which the keeper was happy to push around the post. Three minutes after Slough went 3-0 up, Henry Thomas won a challenge on the edge of the penalty box and the ball fell to Darren Franklin who couldn’t get his shot off quick enough and his eventually effort was blocked. Despite the score line there was the promise of a goal and again the chance fell to Darren Franklin following a great challenge by Chris Salmon but he couldn’t get a clean strike. Our final opportunity arrived from a corner with Chris Salmon’s header going wide of the goal with Darren Franklin was just unable to get on the end of it.
Danny Gray and Vinnie Iannone came on for Dave Whicker and Mark Burfoot but with 6 minutes to go Danny Jordan scored the 4th and last goal to make the final score 4-0 to Slough.
FT: TA 0 ST 4
Slough manager Steve Bateman (whose’s brother Roger used to play for Athletic) will relish the next round as they visit his former club Hemel Hempstead. The result was disappointing, although the players did well under the circumstances in the second half. An eagerly anticipated game was spoiled by a decision that denied us the opportunity of competing on a level basis and led to a strange atmosphere that was lively at the start and became very muted in the second half. But we move on and next week we have another difficult match at home to league leaders Dunstable Town.
Teams:
TA: Sam Mazurek, Dave Salmon, Jack Copson (Chris Salmon HT), Matt Myatt, Steve Smith, Henry Thomas, Darren Franklin, David Whicker (Danny Gray 67), Mark Burfoot (Capt) (Vinnie Iannone 70), Tony Fields, Neil Roberts. Subs not used: Ashley Addison, Rob Duncan, Keith Eldridge.
ST: Ricky Perks, Simon Sweeney, Danny Murphy, Robbie Kean, Nathan Bowder-Haase, Graeme Edwards, Steve Sinclair, Tyron Sealey, Danny Jordan (Roy Gumbs 87), Craig O’Connor (Mo Sharif 77), Paul Edgeworth, Subs not used: Dean Harper, Grant Avis, Ryan Fenton, Jamie Jackson, Steve Jackman.
Goals:
TA: -
ST: Tyron Sealey (18), Nathan Bowder-Haase (43), Danny Jordan (57, 84)
Attendance: 232
ST Website: www.sloughtownfc.net
Link to to Slough photographer's pictures [here] |
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