Higham Town 3 - Thrapston Town 2 (aet)
Higham started the stronger with Thrapston's
defence being kept busy for the first fifteen minutes until
a free kick was converted by the home side to give them a
1 - 0 lead. Thrapston battled back, playing some nice passing
football in all areas and managed to get the ball in the net,
only for the goal to be disallowed by the refree for a questionable
offside. Further chances were missed and the score remained
1 - 0 at half time.
Within 5 minutes of the restart, Thrapston were
level, some good work on both flanks and eventually the ball
was knocked into the penalty area by Steven Broom, where Craig
Mattingley was on hand to finish off. Both teams had further
chances as the game went on, and it was Higham who retook
the lead, after a shot went under the Thrapston keeper's body.
Thrapston immediately replied, Steven Broom seizing on a loose
ball from the defence, running on goal, and launching an unstoppable
shot in the left hand roof of the net.
As Higham seemed to tire, Thrapston pressed
for the winner, but couldn't finish off the second division
side and the game went into extra time.
The first period of the restart saw Higham with
the upperhand, but some good defending by Rob Cunningham,
and some good saves by keeper Oliver Ventham stopped the home
team from taking the lead. The second half was similar with
both teams looking tired and the game looked like it was going
to have to be finished by penalties, when a defensive mistake
allowed the Higham striker to score the winner and knock Thrapston
out of the League Cup.
Despite the result, the Thrapston team can take
heart from a good performance, showing that they are able
to play good football at times.
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