Lichfield City vs Gresley Rovers
Lichfield City 1 - 1 Gresley Rovers (aet)
Gresley win 4 - 2 on penalties
Scorer: Morton
Team: Ian Parker, Chris Smith, Danny Gee, Dave Hatfield (c), Rich Foster, Josh Gregory, Luke Taylor, Sam Worth, Joe Swift, Tom Fletcher, Paul Morton
Subs: Nigel Brewin, Craig Harrison
We travelled to Lichfield in another cup quarter-final, and the task in hand was going to be tough, as we knew how good a side City are. We were missing several players through injury and other commitments so we included our latest signing into the squad as Nigel Brewin had been impressive in training.
With Lichfield having a very good defence we knew that we wouldn't get too many goal scoring chances. I opted to play Paul Morton up front on his own, giving us a 5 midfield just to be a little more defensive. Chris Smith was put into the left back position, another role for our "Mr Versatile".
The game got underway and we started the brighter side looking solid and for most of the early stages we were camped in their half. Chances on goal though were scarce, but we had most of the play, and when Lichfield got forward our defence coped with relative ease.
With 25 minutes gone, and much against the run of play, Lichfield opened their account. It came from a little mix up, as Lichfield hit a long ball, and a little lack of communication led to us allowing their striker to score. It was unlucky because we hadn't really looked at all threatened. So as the half ran it's time we were now looking to get back on terms.
Second half we needed to keep to the same plan, although at half time, we'd spoken about supporting Morton a bit more. With 15 minutes gone, Morton beat their defence, and it took a bit of genius to lob the ball over their advancing keeper. So we deserved to be on level terms, and now we looked at winning the tie. Lichfield obviously had different ideas, and it was pretty even.
With 20 minutes gone we made our first substitution, replacing Joe Swift (who took a hefty knock on his knee) for Brewin. We'd explained what was required from him, and he went about things soon settling in.
Ian Parker made a great save, bravely diving at a player's feet, when he was through on goal. He was called into action again soon afterwards, tipping over a great long range shot, as City pushed for a winner.
With 15 minutes remaining, we made our second substitution, replacing Smith (who had been magnificent out of position) with Craig Harrison. This was a tactical change giving us two up front and meant Sam Worth slotting in at left back. It was also a fresh pair of legs on a heavy pitch with extra time looming.
Neither team could break the deadlock however, so extra time it was. Being honest Lichfield's "body language" looked as though they didn't want extra time. We knew that we needed to give nothing silly away and carry on with the great defensive performance we had for the first 90 minutes. I knew that we wouldn't tire physically and as we mature our mental lapses are becoming fewer. However as the final whistle blew, after a few heated moments, penalties it was.
I'd already picked in my mind who I would like to take them, and asked the question to those concerned and they all readily agreed. This shows true character (as two were 16 and another 17 years of age).
So down to the dreaded shoot out, Parker did brilliantly (saving the first two) whilst both Dave Hatfield and Rich Foster scored ours. Lichfield scored the next two, but so did Luke Taylor and Worth, so we were through and Parker's heroics had paid off.
Today we've proved what I've been saying all season, that we can be a match for any team. We are still improving and not quite the "finished article" but we aren't far off. The hard work we do in games and training has today paid off, however we need to continue in the same traditions with good football. I feel that if we'd lost today it would of been unfair as we had the much better of things, but we've seen before that it doesn't always work out that way.
Well done lads, through to a cup semi-final with a chance of playing at the Pirelli Stadium, is just rewards for your efforts. When you consider last season we've come along way and I believe there's more to come. Keep it going lads and keep pushing with our league and cup runs.
