Reserves cause Cupset

The reserves travelled to high flying Thames Valley Premier League side on Saturday in the Berkshire Trophy Centre Senior Cup. Although underdogs they went into the tie high on confidence following 3 wins in 3 all to nil.

That confidence was certainly on display at the start of the game as they were quick out of the blocks, Harrison West missing from close range from a corner and Charlie Cunningham having a shot from inside the box denied by a John Terry esque block following superb wing play down the left from Bailey Roffey and Jacob Rolfe.

Eventually the dead lock was broken, an early cross from Roffey found by man in form Lors Nicholas who controlled and delicately dinked the goalie, 0-1.

The hosts did respond quickly though and Harrison Luffram slotted home on the 15 minute mark to make it 1-1. 10 minutes later another defence splitting pass from the hosts left the Tadley defence on the turn and a stretching tackle in the box to stop a shot resulted in a penalty. Devonn Reid calmly slotted it home putting Westwood 2-1 up.

The remaining 20 minutes of the second half involved an overload of corners, long throws and set pieces from the hosts, which they are known for, however Tadley remained resolute and went in 2-1 down at the break.

A slight tactical change from the management team at half team brought more control in possession in the second half and also unleashed Nicholas through the middle as the number 9. Around the 65th minute and the reserves were pushing for an equaliser, some more good combinations down the wing resulted in a cut back into the box which West was charging on to and slammed home, 2-2 and Tadley on top now.

On the 75th mark, that man again Nicholas pulled one out of the bag, receiving the ball on the half turn, shaking off Westwoods deepest midfielder and rocketing a strike round the centre half and past the helpless keeper straight into the top bin, the reserves lead 2-3!

As to be expected the remaining part of the game needed plenty of organisation and defending. Limiting Westwood to hardly any opportunities, the reserves managed the game brilliantly, dug deep and ensured they were in the hat for the next round, full time.