Aldershot-Away

What another great game to be involved with.

This was our 4th cup tie on the trot & we didn't dissapoint with the 'keeping you on the edge of your seat' theme.

We new this would be a tougher test for us, but like I have mentioned after the last few ties you cannot question the resolve & character of this team. They will not lie down & be walked over.

Aldershot were always going to knock the ball around & with the movement of their forwards would pose us some problems. This was how the game started but our boys were under orders to shut down & put pressure on their midfield & back four. This we did with a good deal of success & Ben Hepburn latched onto a high through ball & lobbed the on coming keeper to make it 1-0. This lead was kept through to half time.

The 2nd half saw Aldershot trying to probe a way through our back four & they finally equalised from a long throw in which evaded our defenders to the far post for a low header into our goal.

There were further chances at both ends with Ben Hepburn having a great chance to seal the game for us but with only the goalie to beat he failed to beat the goalie who made a good save.

This saw normal time end 1-1.

Extra time saw us take the lead after a great run from Steve Davis who finished with a superbly taken goal into the bottom corner. This is Steve at his best & although he was spending a lot of the match in a defensive position he is such a threat when he goes down the wing.

Aldershot lost there way a little after this but were always prepared to put the ball onto our back line who were in control for most of this period. With the clock running down Ben Hepburn had his 2nd one on one of the night but again their goalie came out on top. All credit to Ben in my opinion he was always willing to chase what seemed lost causes & was a real handfull all night. With over 5 minutes of added time played Aldershot got the equaliser with the last kick of the game. Most teams at this point would be dead on their knees but all my players wanted to do was go on & win the penalty shootout.

It is a lottery & you do feel a little sorry for the losers. But these boys love taking pens & with a goalie in Alex Williams who likes to try to save them you know your in with a great chance. It seemed to go on forever but in the end we just sneeked it with Mark Bell keeping his nerve to seal it for us.

We were never behind in this game & that just goes to show how much these boys have come on this season. Everybody at Oxford City should be very proud of what they have acheived in the FA Youth Cup this season & we will go to Yeovil to enjoy the occasion & you never know with these boys what will happen.

Many thanks to all who helped with transport & came to support us it is greatly appreciated.

Duncan Colwell Youth Team Manager.