Thrapston started the match brightly enough creating half
chances and some long-range pot shots but never looked convincing.
As the half continued Earls Barton forced their way back into
the game and Thrapston somewhat capitulated as players often
looked to teammates to do their own jobs. Again, Thrapston
clung on but at least had not conceded this week. So half
time all square but advantage Earls Barton.
The now customary half-time rocket was provided to the team
and improvements were made but not before falling behind to
an early Earls Barton goal.
The character of the team was now questioned and just as
emphatically answered. Excellent midfield prompting from Alex
Barlow and Ross Munro created chances and goals with Alexander
Palmer and Ryan Caller both scoring a brace each and we even
scored one from a corner!
Through to the next round of the cup but again a game of
“two halves” with some scintillating play when
we got the ball down and played through the wings. However
lessons must be learnt especially from out first half performance.
The defence needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility
and impose itself on the opposition. The midfield has to hustle
and pressurise opponents and the attack has to learn to release
the ball in appropriate areas. A disjointed performance against
game but ultimately weaker rivals – much tougher challenges
lay ahead.
