A’s March On In Cup

The Downs A’s strutted into round 2 of the cup with a 3-2 win over Lawrence Rovers Reserves, on a baking hot October afternoon in Bristol suburbia.

The boys went behind against the run of play early on, when a bit of (truth be told) sloppy defending gifted Lawrence’s centre forward a chance.

However, Cowboys were bossing things for the most part – making good use of the wide, flat, and well-maintained pitch, playing some good Football and linking up well going forward, and having already had one effort ruled out for offside, Carmine Notaro levelled up for the Cowboys.

Nathan Stokes made it 2-1 to Easton soon after, but the boys had to survive a scare before half-time, Franck Wilks heroicly saving a penalty from the home side.

There was still time for more drama before the interval, as Ian Riddle’s excellent far post volley was ruled out by the (opposition) linesman, because “someone shouted ‘mine’, in the box” in the build-up.

Yes. Really.

After the break Nathan slotted home his second to make it 3-1, but the home side pushed on and brought it back to 3-2, leaving a slightly nerve-jangling last 15 minutes as both sides felt the heat. Quite literally.

A flying (and 100% legal) goalline clearance from Steve Williams maintained the Cowboys lead, and truth be told, the boys squandered a few chances to increase their lead late on, but nonetheless, go into the draw for round 2, confident that a slightly more clinical approach in front of goal will surely lead to goals a plenty in the weeks to come.

Yee-Ha.