Defeat at Bilston FC ends the 100% record of the Young Bulls and sends them out of FA Youth Cup
Last night saw us exit the FA Youth Cup in a game that we need to learn a lot from quickly. Since the late win against Cheltenham last Wednesday I have worked with the lads on how sometimes you have to earn the right to play football before you can win a game, unfortunately we didn't do this enough last night.
The game started well with the Bilston keeper making two good saves early on, but a well organised and hard working Bilston soon started to get a foot hold in the game, winning nearly every drop down in the middle of the pitch and out working us on and off the ball. I decided to give 15yr old goalkeeper James Aurelius a start and he soon became the busier keeper saving well on numerous occasions. This pressure resulted in a last ditch block resulting in a penalty, called for handball. James stood up well and pushed the ball to safety, something you hope will shock the team into top gear, unfortunately it didn't.
A throw in down our right dragged too many of our players over which left us light at the back post. As the cross came in, a late runner came round the back and had an easy header to make it 1-0. Luckily this did get a reaction from us. Within 5 minutes we were level. Tom Gameson unluckily hit the post with a good effort and from a resulting corner Joe Davies got his 3rd FA cup goal in as many games, meeting Alex Lilwalls delivery well. Another set piece nearly gave us a lead as we went into halftime. 1-1
The team talk was easy enough, win your individual battles, get onto more second balls and when pressed put the ball back into a good area! That was exactly what Bilston were doing and I knew if we matched that then our ability would eventually win us the game.
Unfortunately Bilston came out even stronger second half and we started to lose our way. Again they won endless second balls all over the pitch, returned them into a good area where their striker and wide men were always ready to work hard to make something of it. They won 3 corners in succession and on the third scored the vital third goal of the game from a header!
We created few good chance in the last 20 minutes. A mis timed jump from Carlos Moreira late on when well placed for a free header and a last minute scramble in the box where we might of snatched an equaliser were as good as it got and in all fairness I don't think the scoreline was fair on Bilston. They could of scored 3 or 4 in the last 15 minutes if it wasn't for last ditch defending and the very impressive Aurelius in goal.
Myself and Steve had both said separately to physio Jonny Evans that we had a bad feeling prior to the game. I have been waiting for us to come unstuck after an impressive start to the season and this was the night. We need to learn that when results become the main factor in football you sometimes have to scrap, work and do the ugly side of the game, especially when you go to a lower division team. After the game I told the players that you can only learn so much from winning games, failing is when you have to stand up and be counted and learn so much more than when coming off the pitch after a comfortable win. I hope they listened to it, we have a tough National Cup game next week at Tottenham and we have a lot to work on. If they keep the attitude they have started the season with then we will look back on this defeat as point where we really grew as a team and as individuals.
As a final note I would like to thank Bilston FC for their hospitality, congratulate them on a deserved win and hope they get far enough to play a good league side.
Team vc Bilston
James Aurelius, Liam Taylor, Simon Morgan, Chris May, Joe Davies, Matty James, Tom Jenkins, Alex Lilwall, Carlos Moreira, Matty Owen, Tom Gameson.
Subs
Benn Pugh, Will Lawley, James Obern, Lewis Fletcher