Boys' 1st XI v Lutterworth College, ESFA R3

Date: Wednesday 4th November

Venue: Away at Lutterworth College. Depart at 12.15pm.

Team: Jones, Fearn, Golding, Lewis, Evans, Sanderson, Moxham, Graham, Duggan (C), Chilaka, Rees-Jones

Subs: Mullen, Samra, Blackwood, Woodhead

Result: Lutterworth College 3-2 Repton

Match Report:

This was always going to be a tough away match and so it proved. We fell behind after five minutes after what can only be described as an unfortunate penalty after a scramble for the ball in the area. This put us on the back foot and we knew that we would have to scrap hard to get anything from this game. We slowly clawed our way into the game, altering things slightly at the back to compensate for their pacy forward we fashioned a great chance to equalize, which was expertly finished by CHILAKA for his 18th of the season. The rest of the half saw the game ebb and flow. They had some dangerous players going forward and strong defensive performances were required to hold them at bay. At the other end Chilaka flashed a shot wide of the post and Sam Graham saw a wonderful free-kick somehow clawed around the post by their impressive goalkeeper. Lutterworth were to strike again to make it 2-1 at half-time. I could be critical of the defending; we didn't pressure the ball quickly enough However, it would be wrong to do anything other than acknowledge what a fantastic strike it was, curling the ball sweetly into the top corner from outside the area.

I felt that Lutterworth were value for their lead at half-time. The second half was quite different as Repton put in a much stronger performance. Moxham and Sanderson really grasped hold of the midfield and gave us a strong platform to build our attacks. Lutterworth were still dangerous and offered plenty up front when they got the chance, but they were starved of quality ball for much of the half. We created a series of chances to draw level but couldn't quite take any of them. We weren't getting the run of the ball as deflections and clearances were dropping safely away from a Repton boot. We were hit on the sucker punch with another quality goal. Our defence was stretched and a first time strike from outside the area found the bottom corner beautifully. Still we wouldn't give in and within 10 minutes we were back at 3-2 after a superb run and cross from Chilaka was turned in by Steven MULLEN for his third goal in three games. More chances followed but we couldn't quite find the finish and thefinal whistle blew to send us out of the ESFA Cup.

This was probably the toughest game we have had this season and, in my view, came just at the right time. Yes, we lost the match but it could easily have tipped the other way. The key thing for me is the way the team had to battle and scrap in difficult conditions; this will certainly stand us in good stead for the challenges ahead.