Well through to the next round and a tale of two halves.
First half United were miles off the pace. Defensively poor and struggled with the pace of the Jersey counter attacks, maybe the early substitution off Joe Gater was a factor?
Jersey could have wrapped this game up by half time!!
Only real chance for United was the half volley the impressive Amari Fashanu cannoned off the near post.
Second half was completely in contrast to the first, Darnell Wynter volley home, from a deflected right wing cross. Possibly the first time he got into the opponent half from his midfield role. From that point there only looked like one winner, several chances created for United but poor finishing and solid keeper display kept United at bay. The more chances United missed the more you felt there was a twist in the tale. Jersey again on the counter managed to fire a shot away from the edge of the box that somehow evaded Forster in the home goal. United dragged themselves level with a neatly worked equaliser, Gianni Crichlow skipping past his man to the byline, his dinked cross to the back post found substitute Brendan Matthew rising highest to head home. Jersey player heading just wide late on could have undone all the home sides good work to get level.
Onto the pens and 3 calm and composed penalties from Purcell, Fashanu (keeper let it under his body), Derham, and finally Matthew. Shout to Rhys Forster who saved two diving to his right.
Defensively we still look shaky at times and look very susceptible to a quick counter attack especially if we lose possession high in the opposition half.
2 from 2 so decent start, get through the cup games then get stuck into the league will give us some idea how we will fair this season.
Expectations for the season, give the manager a chance to build a squad over the next 2/3 years, changing managers every season has not worked! Let’s play some decent attacking football and see where it takes us this year. Good start with the introduction of Crichlow and Fashanu on the wings.
Mom 2 players stand out in this side at present, both wingers get the crowd up, Gianni Crichlow and Amari Fashanu have started extremely well this season. Ross Derham I’ll give a mention to only substitute appearances so far this season, but I think he could unlock a few teams in the 10 role if given the minutes over the coming weeks/month.