3-0, 56 minutes. Get in!

Good heavens, now 5-3 to the Bluebirds!… I’m going for a lie down!

Blimey! A lie-down is definitely in order.  Dominated the first half, playing into a strong wind... and thoroughly deserved our two goal lead. Came out in the second half, sat back, got a breakaway third ( Fas), then inexplicably   conceded the midfield to Gloucester, who fair play to them, then came forward dangerously and persistently and deserved their 2 goals.  Re-asserted ourselves,  got the 4th through TOE then conceded again.  Brought Caine on in an upfront role followed by AAH. A goalkeeper howler then allowed Fas to dribble the ball into the back of the Gloucester net to seal the deal ( sort of). Proper cup-tie drama... with Cook sent off as the theatricals came to a  head.  Had Alefe Santos next to us, ( now Glos apparently) and with Spencer H in the crowd and Parker, Hanks and Smile on the pitch... felt a sort of Old Boys re-union of sorts. Not an easy watch, though!!  Well done everybody. First class entertainment. Thought we played the conditions particularly well.

Good progress to the the next round, goals are always fun even though these days it brings the out of place and low quality goal music (sorry just my opinion - maybe i am too old to be down with kids!) We looked in easy street at half time and more so when Fasanmade made it 3-0. Gloucester to their credit kept going but for all their good approach play always looked vulnerable at the back. Mike Cook must of been tearing his hair out when the goalie made such a daft error for the 5th goal, could of been a very nervous ending for us of Chipp persuasion without his comical mistake. Next round something to look forward to at the the start of a new year.

Last edited by Terrace Views (09/12/2023 9:02 PM)

The Isuzu FA Trophy
Season 2023-24
Payments made from The FA's prize fundFirst round qualifying: Winners receive £1500, losers receive £400
Second round qualifying: Winners receive £2250  losers receive £575
Third round qualifying: Winners receive £2450, losers receive £625
First round: Winners receive £3000, losers receive £775
Second round: Winners receive £3750, losers receive £1000
Third round: Winners receive £4500, losers receive £1250
Fourth round: Winners receive £5250, losers receive £1500
Fifth round: Winners receive £6000, losers receive £1750
Quarter Final: Winners receive £7500, losers receive £2000
Semi-Final: Winners receive £15,000, losers receive £5000
Final runners-up: £30,000
Final winners: £60,000Amounts are per winning club in each round.

So.... even if we fail to progress from Round 4 we still receive £1500. Overall, a tidy £10k, or just under, in the competition thus far.  Important for the club. 476 today was more than I expected;  thought we'd be 400/425-ish..