Men's Masters Over 40s Vs Kingswinford

Telford & Wrekin Men's O40s bowed out of the EH Tier 2 Plate competition following a 4-3 loss against Kingswinford. Chris Heath, Pete Evans & Glyn Summerhayes joined the squad with Rob Cooper & Paul Duncan missing out from Round 1.

It was a game of contrasting styles with Telford happy to build the ball up from the back, use the full width of the pitch and try and get at the Kingswinford backline. Their hosts played to their strengths with a central core of 3 players in each of the lines who were able to find each other with ease during the first half. Kingswinford opened the scoring when their centre forward evaded a tackle on the baseline to slot the ball passed Gary Stacey in goal giving him no chance. It was was soon 2-0 when an overload at the back was finished by their centre forward who's shot nestled into the far corner much to his surprise.

A few changes off the bench did little to change the pattern of the game with Kingswinford sitting deep and happy to play on the counter. Despite forcing a few corners, shots on goal were at a premium and it was Kingswinford who made it 3-0 with a drag flick from a short corner and a fourth followed before half time.

Half time gave us the chance to regroup with the next goal being crucial as it was fair to say we had the legs and youth on our side so it would be a long half for our hosts despite their four goal cushion. Fifteen minutes into the second half after forcing numerous short corners which somehow didn't end up in the back of the net, Dave Seaton stepped up for a trademark straight strike with his mishit bobbler evading their keeper who had done well up until this point to keep us out. It was soon 4-2 with Pete Evans finding the net from open play and with only fifteen minutes to play we switched to a 3-3-4 formation in attempt to force the game. This did give our hosts the chance on the break but Gary Stacey in goal was largely untroubled throughout the second half with only one team looking likely to score. A scramble in the D with five minutes to go led to a penalty stroke being awarded with a reluctant Evans stepping up to take the flick but he made no mistake setting up a tense finale. Sensing blood, keeper Stacey stepped off the pitch allowing an extra forward and with a minute left on the clock from another short corner the ball was played across goal by Sunny Sahota and when Tommy Lauder's close range shot was saved, Moet was on hand to tap the ball home and pull us level. Moet stepped off to allow Stacey back in the net but after a long delay the goal was ruled out and with only seconds left the great escape couldn't be completed and we were left to rue what might have been.

With a few more players being eligible next season it's highly likely the team will enter again next season in what's been a great albeit short cup run.

Squad; G Stacey, S Sahota, J Woodrow, C Heath, R Dhanjal, C Nightingale, G Summerhayes, S Such, P Evans, S Marshall, P Bullock, P Dhanjal, T Lauder, R Marsh, D Seaton.