Sunday, 13 January 2013
Carlsberg FA Sunday Cup - Third Round
RCA Grangetown Florists produced a superb performance against the previously unbeaten Nottingham T8's, despite being without five of the previous weeks starting eleven, to progress through to the Fourth Round of the national Carlsberg FA Sunday Cup by a 1-0 scoreline courtesy of Gareth Hill's 80th minute header.
Travelling was delayed for nearly an hour while the ground in Hucknall was inspected after an overnight snow flurry, but was declared playable at 8:45am and the coach left for a 1:00pm ko.
Conditions were far from perfect, with a thin covering of snow on the surface at kick off. RCA were missing defenders McVay and Lonsdale, keeper Snowball and midfielders Petch and Metcalfe and started with Harkes in goal, a back four of Rush, Ferguson, Hall, and Kelly with McCain, Jordan, Trewick and Gargett in midfield, Hill and Wharton up top. The subs bench was pretty bare with only Chapman as a regular squad member and two others, namely 'older' stalwarts Churchill and Burns.
T8's started very strongly with their front three causing problems for RCA Florists who were finding it difficult to adjust to the conditions and there were a number of good chances created, especially from numerous corners, but excellent defending and good fortune kept the score goalless and by the 30 minute mark RCA Florists were beginning to get a grip on the game with Trewick and Jordan both prominent. One or two half chances went begging and half time arrived without any score.
RCA Florists then came out in much more confident mood for the second half and really got to grips with the match and began to dominate possession and along with steady defending, especially from the outstanding David Rush at right back, started to make chances, but the all important first goal, which was always going to decide the tie, just would not come. Both Hill and Wharton had efforts blocked and with Ferguson winning headers at dead balls you felt it was just a matter of time. Eventually that proved to be correct when left back Kelly floated in a cross onto the head of Gaza Hill at the near post 12 yards out and his looping header found the top corner, in the 80th minute. RCA then spent the remainder of the match mostly in control of the ball to run out 1-0 winners of this very tough encounter.
RCA Florists now travel to Brighouse FC in Yorkshire to take on HT Sports FC from Leeds in the last 16 next Sunday, 20 January.