For the second year in succession Generals were at the quarter final stage of the League Cup, hoping that this year they would do better! Today's opponents were South Rushden, currently sitting top of division two, so a hard game was expected. The boys have been excellent in training this week, so we hoped they would take that great attitude into the match.
Starting strongly this week, knowing the importance of a good start in a cup game, Generals immediately dropped into a passing game. Whenever a ball was won in midfield it was quickly passed around until an opening could be generated.
The first breakthrough came through Jake as he carried on with his excellent form of recent games, as he helped turn the dominance in possession, into goals. After a one two with Jordan on the left wing, Jake delivered a great ball to James waiting on the edge of the box, centre of goal. Shifting the ball onto his trusty right foot, James placed the ball coolly into the top right hand corner of the net. Already this was looking like a really good all round performance, 1 - 0.
The football continued to be excellent from Generals, Tom and Josh were putting pressure on the defenders at every opportunity, forcing them to deliver the ball into a midfield which pounced on every loose ball. Jake picked up one of these loose balls near the half way line. He immediately pressed forward, evading the tackles from the South Rushden players, then just as you thought he had done too much, Ryan laid the ball off to him and he delivered a fantastic shot from some 25 yards out, leaving the keeper stranded, it sailed into the top left hand corner of the net. A brilliant solo effort and his first goal for Generals, 2 - 0.
Generals weren't finished yet. The defence played the ball out between themselves with ease. Aaron being key to the ability to press down the right hand side, as he found himself with room to play. It was fantastic to watch the boys win and pass the ball around in midfield so well this week. Resolute South Rushden defending was keeping the goal count down, but there was still more to come from Generals. Tom delivered some excellent corners in this match and it was one of these that allowed the ball to drop to Josh on the edge of the box. You won't see a sweeter hit shot in any of the FA Cup fourth round games this weekend, Josh drove the ball on the half volley into the roof of the net. They are still looking for the pegs from the back of the net now, 3 - 0.
Three superb strikes sealed a dominant performance in the first half, 3 - 0.
The second half lacked some of the high tempo work to recover the ball from the opposition by Generals, this allowed South Rushden to start pressing the Generals defence, they were determined to get themselves back into the game. With 10 minutes remaining South Rushden broke through the defence and dispatched the fourth high quality goal in this game, 3 - 1. But they weren't finished there, capitalising with only 5 minutes to go for a second time, to make the tie interesting at 3 - 2. A few changes were made to help shore up Generals and they played the match out to the end, securing their first semi final place in the League Cup.
Overall a very good cup tie. Generals were superb in the first half, but rested on their laurels in the second. A fantastic all round performance from the squad. With the work effort starting at the front and flowing throughout the whole side, especially in the first half. Aaron made use of the time and space he was given in the first half, with Ben and Phil as solid as ever. The midfield quartet of James, Ryan, Jake and Adam were compact and played the ball around superbly. The man of the match award went to Tom for his fantastic work ethic running down the South Rushden defence and delivering quality corners. Well done boys.
