UITC ease past a hard working, resolute Malvern side 4-0 to progress in the cup and set up for a tough run of games
Last night was exactly the type of game I thought it would be and showed we have come a long way from our Youth Cup defeat at Bilston. All credit to Hinton for preparing and allowing us to play on their pitch, but the weekends rain had taken its toll on the pitch which made the game tricky for both teams. The game would come down to our mental side, it's easy going to Birmingham and wanting to play but a cold Wednesday night on a tough surface is a test of the mind.
We started the game brightly but were reduced to long range efforts which caused little danger to Malverns defence and the game took a while to settle as both teams looked to attack. It wasn't until the 29th minute that we got the break through, Joe Davies scoring his 4th of season as he headed past the keeper. This settled us down and we begin to control the game, pressing high to force mistakes. The crucial second goal came on 37 minutes as Will Lawley was quick to react in the box and fire home, a goal he deserved on the night.
The second half couldn't of started better for us as we scored within 50 seconds of the restart. Good play and great work from Lewis Fletcher in midfield ended in him sliding a ball through for Lawley who got his second and gave us the cushion we wanted at 3-0. It also gave me a chance to rest some players. Joe Davies and Chris May have been instrumental at the heart of our defence this season, conceding just 8 goals in 10 games, and I brought them off for their first rest of the season. I also started with 3 U16s in the team. James Aurelius in goal, Jay Richmond at left back and Lewis Clarke at right back. I hope to have all three with us next season if possible and all three did not look out of place in the team last night.
As the game was closing we scored our fourth. Robbie Trumper, who is a great technical player, firing home from 25yards to seal the victory. Malvern still worked hard and had their first shot on target in the final few minutes, Aurelius diverting it onto the post and the game came to a close.
I was happy after the game, every player played his part. Matty James controlling the midfield and Tom Jenkins wanting to create things all game. The subs did their bit too, James Obern as always being neat and tidy and most of them rested now for what becomes a huge 2 games for our season. We travel to St. George's next week to face top of the table Burton Albion. They have a record of 7 wins, 1 loss and are 5 points clear at the top. A victory from us would put us in a position to go top with our games in hand and with Carlos Moreira hopefully fit for selection, and Alex Lilwall available if his knock last night isn't too serious, I believe we can go there and win. Then it's a small case of Chelsea away in the cup!
Thanks last night again go to Hinton for their services and we progress to the next round of the cup which we need to win to stamp our mark in Hereford. Another thankyou to all the supporters that turned up last night, the players really appreciated it.
Team: James Aurelius, Lewis Clarke, Jay Richmond, Joe Davies, Chris May, Lewis Fletcher, Matty James, Tom Jenkins, Matty Owen, Alex Lilwall, Will Lawley
Sub: James Obern, Tom Gameson, Robbie Trumper, Liam Taylor, Simon Morgan