Kettering Nomads FC

31st October 2009

Morris 2, Sanders 

Following the first teams phenomenal result in the Junior Cup last weekend, it was the turn of the reserves to pit their wits in their respective County Cup competition against Division 3 outfit Wilby FC.

After seeing off the much fancied Roade Reserves in round one, Nomads were looking to enter unchartered territory by reaching the last 16 for the first time in over 10 years. Manager Rick Conway welcomed back keeper Nathan Heads, whilst John Stokes returned from his intensive sun-bed course. New signing Danny Morris was added to the squad, however Neil Strutt, Nikki Glazebrook, Andy Harvey and Kal Lee were all missing from last weeks 2-1 victory against Corby Khalsa.

Starting line up:  Heads, Martin, Stokes, Lee, Conway, Perkins, Hector, Castka, Hobson, Sanders, Morris. Subs: Macniven, Lynch, S Walton.

With a change in formation, Nomads kicked off playing 4-3-3 and within 10 minutes the new tactic paid off as Nomads took a deserved lead with debutant Morris nodding in from close range. Playing some attractive football, Nomads sensed that a place in the next round was beckoning. This was underlined further, when a great move culminated in Sanders playing Morris in who duly lobbed the keeper to give Nomads a two goal lead. For the next twenty minutes Nomads totally dominated, looking for what would have been a killer third goal.

With half time beckoning, Nomads were made to pay when the busy No.10 played in the visitors No.16 who despatched a volley past the diving Heads. Unbelievably, the visitors were level within 2 minutes of half time, when a static defence failed to intercept a through ball for the No.16 to score his and Wilbys second.

A stunned home changing room could not quite believe how they had let their opponents off the hook in such an uncharacteristic manner. With words of wisdom from manager Conway and Walton, Nomads were sent back out for the second half knowing that if they played how they had done for the first 30 minutes, then they would surely prevail against much more physical and direct opponents.

The strong arm approach from Wilby unsettled Nomads who struggled to create any clear chances. On 60 minutes, the No.16 was put clean through, Heads saved the first attempt but luck deserted him as the ball rebounded straight off him into the strikers path to present him with his hat-trick. Nomads needed to dig deep to stay in the cup tie. With time ticking away, Sanders burst through the flat, leaden footed defence to blast an equaliser, taking the game into extra time.

The extra half hour presented Nomads new boy Morris with a great opportunity to take the lead, however a headed clearance off the line kept the scores level. Wilby almost nicked the tie with the last kick of extra time, when a stray pass from Perkins left Wilbys winger one on one with Heads who saved well to take the game into penalties.

Who now would hold their nerve? Nomads won the toss and elected to take the first penalty.

Hon Lam Lee - screwed his shot wide       Wilby        scored               0-1
Heads             - low to keepers left              Wilby       Heads saves    1-1
Sanders          - scores to keepers right     Wilby        scored               2-2
Morris             - scores to keepers left        Wilby        scored               3-3
Stokes            - scores to keepers left        Wilby        scored               4-4
Perkins           - scores top left corner        Wilby         scored              5-5
Macniven       - scores to keepers left        Wilby        scored               6-6
Hector            - straight at the keeper        Wilby        scored               6-7

Cruelly, the better side had missed a golden opportunity to progress any further in this seasons competition, leaving them with just the league to concentrate on.