Richardson Cup 2nd Round
Diggle ‘A’ 3 - 4 Netherton Res
Our resident sports reporter is having a week off in Rome and apparently took the snow with him so that we could get a cup match underway that was first scheduled in 2009.
Diggle came into this match unbeaten for the season against a Netherton side sitting in 2nd place in the higher division. That Netherton Reserves were very relieved to hear the final whistle is testament to the tenacity and determination of Diggle’s third string side. A week earlier this Diggle team had comeback from 2 goals down to beat title rivals Westend 4-2 but going two goals down every week will not necessarily bring the same result every time.
Diggle suffered their first setback only minutes into the match when star striker Stone limped off with a suspected torn hamstring. The loss of Stone seemed to knock Diggle out of their stride and a poor header from Anchor toward his own goal culminated in a penalty for Netherton which they duly converted.
Simpson, who had replaced Stone, began to settle in his midfield role and started to release Hayes down the right who had the beating of the left back almost at will. Fitzgerald was now playing striker alongside Brown and he had a smart shot saved following some crisp inter-passing. Netherton were playing the long ball game and relying on fast runs from their strikers. On the half hour mark they doubled their lead.
This Diggle team shrugged off the deficit and came back harder at Netherton and got a goal back from the ever dangerous Fitzgerald. As half time approached Netherton struck again, another fast break out of midfield and Pooley beaten by a low shot at his front post. Diggle still had time to have a very good penalty shout turned down as the Netherton defender virtually caught the ball and threw it away from danger. In fairness the referee, Steve Longmore, was unsighted.
Halftime 1-3
The next goal was going to be important and came Diggle’s way just 2 minutes into the second half when Gaz Godard converted a penalty awarded for a push in the box. This was the cue for sustained pressure from Diggle and a goal would follow. Nothing for 30 minutes and then Netherton broke away again to score their 4th of the tie. Diggle conceded 3 identical goals and would eventually suffer from their repeated mistakes.
Diggle went three at the back in an effort to get back level, Chamberlain being the unfortunate defender to be sacrificed as they through caution to the wind. Diggle stormed forward time and time again. Walters cracked a 30 yarder into the top corner in the 80th minute to get back to 4-3 and the Netherton box was more like the Alamo in the last 5 minutes. Fitzgerald would have one final chance but he found the keeper in good form.
Final whistle 3-4.
Good luck to Netherton Res in the quarter finals.
MOM – Kenny Simpson & Gaz Godard
