The first cup competition of the season ended in the Thorns exit in the 1st round againest Division 5 team Saltwells Inn. There was only Kenny Lee missing through injury and this is the team picked:
Shrimpy Senior, Declan, Hagley Nick, Murphy, James, Shrimpy Junior, Gaz, Geoghegan, Connell, Ston, Hatty. Sub: Kevin (for Declan 2nd half), Goode (for Shrimpy Junior 1st half), Ronan (for Connell 2nd half), Adjei
There was 2 changes to them team from the first league game last week with James and Ston coming in replacing me and Goode. Connell had moved over to the right wing with Geoghegan playing in the centre.
The 1st half of this game was an even contest. After about 10 minutes of the game, Shrimpy Junior had to come off after a clash of heads. This left him with a big cut just above his eye. Goode replaced him on the left of the midfield.
Saltwells Inn took the lead in the first half after Shrimpy had saved a long range shot but their attackers was first to the ball and slotted in the rebound. Shortly after The Thorns equalised through Gaz. We had a throw in which was flicked on by Ston which found Gaz on the back post. He shot and even though the keeper got a hand to it, it still landed in the net.
At half time it was 1-1 with The Thorns looking more solid and playing alot better than the previous match.
The 2nd half didn't start so well as the 1st went. Shortly into the 2nd half it looked as though the Saltwell's attacker was offside, the ref waved play on and they scored to make it 2-1. Not long after it was 3-1.
Towards the end of the game I can on for Declan and just after Ronan came on for Connell.
Saltwells once again beat the offside trap towards the end of the game and made it 4-1. The Thorns 1st round exit from the ADP Challenge Cup was disappointing espically after the good 1st half performance. Once again Hagley Nick was named man of the match after his good performance once again in the centre defence.
Next Sunday The Thorns are at home against Old Cross who are in Division 3 so will be a tough game. This is in the Sandwell Charity Cup and The Thorns should be able to welcome back Kenny Lee to the squad for the next game.