Hastings FA Junior Cup
1st Round
South Coast Athletico vs Hollington Utd II
Saturday 6th October 2018
Bexhill College 3G
Chopbacks bow out of 1st round
It was the Chopbacks first appearance in the Hastings Junior Cup this Saturday hosting a well experienced Hollington Utd 2nd team.
There was a huge contrast between the two teams in terms of age and experience but Neil Sutcliffe’s talented young squad competing on equal terms through the opening period of the tie.
Hollington capitalised on two early corners scoring from each.
Coast didn’t let it phase them and had the bulk of possession in the first half, a break through coming later in the first half from Connor Easton who picked up the ball in the centre of Utd’s final third, he faced a wall of Utd players but showed his determination and class to strike a zipping curling shot around the entire defence, the ball whipping into the opposition goal inside the post leaving the keeper no chance reducing the deficit to 1 goal.
The game continued in a frustrating stalemate until half time, where the team talk was one of confidence and calmness.
The game continued in the same manor, a few half chances where made by the Chopbacks who again looked dangerous.
Hollington again used their experience and after putting in a dangerous cross resulted in Connor Smith putting into his own net from an attempted he had to make restoring Hollingtons 2 goal lead.
Hollington seamed to relax a little assuming the day was won despite their being plenty of time left.
South Coast battled hard and the chances started coming, Bradley Owens, who has become a superstar in the team recently scoring in nearly every game this season (including preseason also), took advantage of finding himself in a huge space. pulled of another stunning trade mark Owens strike from 25 yards out, easily beating Utd’s keeper with a lofted crisp dipping strike that found it’s way into the top right hand bins!
From this point Coasts management teams confidence in their players grew even stronger, as the momentum on pitch grew.
There were a few good efforts on target from Coast, but time began to slip away.
In the last 2 minutes Hollington fouled Luke Darvill 25 yards out and Mike Hawley was sent on to dispatch the free kick.
Placing the ball confidently there was good hearted banter from Utd’s players, then the players and crowd fell silent.
Mike slammed the ball and it rocketed over the wall dipping towards the crossbar just to the goalkeepers left side, the keeper somehow got his finger tips to it, pushing the ball onto the crossbar clattering the ball away.
Hollington proceeded to snuff out and Chopback attack and the game ended 3-2 to Hollington and the boys of South Coast Athletico were knocked out of the competition.
Afterwards, SCA manager Neil Sutcliffe reflected on the game saying:
“We had the talent to have beaten Hollington today, but we lacked a little desire as a group, they (Hollington) took their chances well and played with aggression and passion, if we had wanted it more and showed that extra heart and determination that is required to win against higher level opponents in cup competitions, the day would have been ours”.
Ultimately the lads can hold their heads high and feel proud of their work ethic and resilience in the game, never giving up and playing some very good football.
The experience will enrich the team as they continue on their journey.
No fixture has been announced for Coast next week at present, the next scheduled game of October 20th sees the boys back in league action taking on on Hawkhurst 2nds.
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