Reserves Cup Exit

By: Chris C
Date: 25/03/2001

The reserves took the field against Sheff Utd reserves under Paul Wilkinson - why I'm not sure probably because it was a cup match. Town lined up as follows:

Hildagaard
Upsher
Handyside
Bloomer
D Smith
A Smith
Black
Butterfield
Buckley
Thompson
Burton

The first 20 mins were a bit dire and only Thompson and Smith looked confident. Both teams failed to pass the ball well but Thompson impressed - he was strong on the ball, quick, and took on the defenders. Hildgaard (left) made a couple of good saves in that period but a reserve debut is going to make any keeper nervous. He couldn't do a lot about the first goal which started from a mix up on the edge of the area and let in the excellent Tyrone Thompson for a well-sloted goal to the keeper's left

Town lacked width - Black found it hard work on the heavy pitch in midfield as Utd pushed forward with the right back A Smith showing real quality for Town as did D Smith and Butterfield

Half Time 0-1

The second half turned into a midfield mud bath with long balls to Thompson and Smith. Butterfield pushed forward causing problems for Utd. For Utd Tyrone Thomspon similarly troubled the Grimsby right back.

Smith continued to shine as Utd's forwards passed the ball around very well. Town, with Buckley and Smith, coming more into the game got a corner where the boy Thompson rose very well at the near post to head home.

Smith went off to make way for Wilson, Thompson went of injured after 90 minutes and made way for Howard , a tall pacey lad who could be a future Livvo. It all went wrong when 5 mins into extra time Tyrone Thompson lashed in a 20 yard shot leaving the keeper no chance and Lennie Lawrence shaking his head.

The rest is too bad to talk about - 2 sloppy goals from a tired defence held up by a solid Handyside all match. The 3rd goal the keeper turned away from the shot which was a lose ball about 5 yards out from the excellent Thompson. If he is playing for Utd at our place on the 21st God help us. Whether the keeper got wrong-footed, or what, but I've never seen a keeper turn his back on a shot.

Their fourth was a good break from midfield by Thompson, riding tackles he got the ball to Tongh who slotted home. We finally got a good break with Butterfield gliding down the wing like **** - forget it he played a good cross in a after a bit of pin ball and a shot from Black hit the keeper and Buckley lashed the rebound home. THE CROWD WENT WILD - there was still a good 60 or so of us left.

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