Wadebridge Res v Millbrook - League Cup 1st Round

Wadebridge made hard work of reaching the 2nd Round of the League Cup, having to play extra time and then come through the 'lottery' of a penalty shoot out.

The home side were without several players due to injury, first team call ups and trips to Skinners brewery. You know who you are, Lee!! plus influential manager, Paul Thomas, who is away on a well earned holiday in the sunny Agean Sea!! His assistant, me, took charge today , and he was abley assisted by the charismatic, Jimmy Vernon.

Wadebridge started the game well and dominated proceeding. New signing Dan Ball & Ben Beasley pulling the strings in midfield and it looked only a matter of time before they took the lead. However, a combination of poor finishing, good defending and bad luck kept the scores level The visitors looked lively on the break but the home sides defence looked comfortable whenever Millbrook threatened. The home side went close a several occasions. The first when Chris Ferrret drove in a great free kick and Luke Worral connected with a great header only to see the ball crash onto the bar and then after good work from Will Daley and Leighton Carhart, Rettsy's shot was well saved by the Millbrook keeper. We went in front just after the half hour mark when Dan Ball hit a low shot into the near post with the keeper unsighted by Rettsy, sizable frame, according to Verns!!

H/T 1-0

The second half proved to be a different story with Millbrook coming back much stronger and the home sides performance level dropping considerably. The away side took the game to the Bridger's without really troubling Ben Hurst, the Wadebridge keeper. Wadebridge attacking threat went missing for 20 minutes or so but on a rare occasion they did threaten the moved broke down on the edge of Millbrooks 18 yard box and from the resulting breakaway the Millbrook left winger ran a full 40 yards into the bridgers penalty area, unchallenged and stroked the ball past Hursty and into the far corner of the net. 1-1.

This only encouraged the away side who went in search of the winner and the Bridgers' heads went down for 15 mins as we looked second best. Nick Daley replaced his brother, Will, with 25 minutes to go and Kev Cornford was replaced by Ali Feasy . However we rallied and played more like the first half for the last 10 minutes of the half and could have easily won the game when Nick Daly had a good chance but shot straight at the keeper and a looping header from Rettsy came back off the angle of the post & cross bar.

F/T 1-1

Extra time:

Play continued pretty much as the second half finished. Both sides looking for the winner. Damo came on to replace Luke and he had a great opportnity to put the Bridgers in front after escaping the offside trap but his shot went straight at the keeper. Both side were looking tired and the quality of play at times looked very poor.

H/T 1-1

A tactical change in the second period of extra time saw Ali Feasy play up front with Rettsy with damo going out to play wide right. This nearly paid off as the Bridger's had a goal disallowed for offside after good work by Ali put Rettsy in on goal and then in the space of 5 minutes Ali found himself through on goal only to be denied on both occassion by the keeper. The save of the game came when Rettsy goal bound effort was tipped over the bar by the visitors keeper.

F/T 1-1.

Penalties.

Millbrook won the toss and opted to go first.

Millbrook 1st
1-0 - Hurst almost got a foot to it!
1-1 - Nick Daley after a retake - phew!!
2-1 - Good peno.
2-1 - Ali Feasey missed, keeper saved - Ali though would be disappointed with his spot kick.
2-1 - Ballooned penalty over the bar.
2-2 - Rettsy - Mr Cool - slide the ball under the keeper.
2-2 - Blasted well wide but Hursty would have saved it - so he told me after the game - I would have to agree!
2-3 - Chris Ferret - Captain Fantastic - superb penalty - keeper no chance.
2-3 - Great penalty but an equally super save from Hursty - our Hero!!!

team: B Hurst, C. Ferret, D. Witts, P. Banks, L. Carhart, K. Cornford, B. Beasley, D.Ball, W.Daly, L.Worrall, M. Retter. Subs: A.Feasey, N.Daly, D. Cudmore, J.Vernon

Next round - Liskeard at home.


The conclusion of a very long afternoon in the sun is:

Paul Thomas banned from taking any further hildiays during the football season!!
Although Verns & Sells now have a 100% record in management together!