lazarus Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 From the Daventry Express: In the FA Cup a week on Saturday the Purple Army will have an old score to settle with a relegated Ashford Town outfit which dented the Town’s promotion prospects through a shock 2-1 in the Central Division last March. Back in the Combined Counties League this season Ashford lost their opening match at Cove but followed up with three wins before beating Berkhamsted by a 3-1 margin on Saturday in the most controversial of all 180 FA Cup extra preliminary round ties. Berko had two players sent off whilst their manager was also removed from the dug-out as tempers flared in a cup game which brought another polished performance from Ashford striker Mark Bitmead. Seven points from four outings represents an adequate start to the campaign for Daventry but Foster will be struggling to cover the tracks following injuries to five key players in a squad of only 18. The Town should still be strong enough to beat Ashford and earn a first qualifying round FA Cup tie at Hitchin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beano Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 From the Daventry Express: Back in the Combined Counties League this season Ashford lost their opening match at Cove but followed up with three wins before beating Berkhamsted by a 3-1 margin on Saturday in the most controversial of all 180 FA Cup extra preliminary round ties. Berko had two players sent off whilst their manager was also removed from the dug-out as tempers flared in a cup game which brought another polished performance from Ashford striker Mark Bitmead. Most controversial apart from the one which was abandoned, perhaps? We appear to have turned into the Millwall of Step 5 football! Seven points from four outings represents an adequate start to the campaign for Daventry but Foster will be struggling to cover the tracks following injuries to five key players in a squad of only 18. The Town should still be strong enough to beat Ashford and earn a first qualifying round FA Cup tie at Hitchin. Well, that's exactly what the Daventry Express would have said before the Purple Army's last visit to the RPS. Remind me again how that finished? So, a patched-up, 13 man squad is going to be too strong for a team in great form and with home advantage, is it? Right you are... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tel Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 It's mind games, let the opposition think they are weak then when they arrive most if not all the players not expected to play have a mirical recovery. BE STRONG We can beat this team, but be ready! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 A few comments on twitter from the Purple Army stating their season started this time last year !!! Let's make them wait another week Lads you have what it takes to leave the field tomorrow victorious !!! Have no regrets and leave nothing on the pitch #FA Cup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 This will be our biggest test of the season so far. A real character definer. Those who played in the opening game last season at Daventry (2-1 up and playing against ten men, and we lost 5-2) will want to put that right. Those who played in our 2-1 midweek home win over Daventry last season will want to repeat the feat. Those who are new to our squad and ambitious will want to play the likes of Daventry on a weekly basis (as we used to do until the end of last season) and will want to show what they're made of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 A great performance which shows that, if we'd had this group of lads last season with this application, we'd still be in the Southern League. We deserved to win. How unlucky we were to hit the woodwork in three separate attacks, unluckiest being Dan Fleming with a lovely effort rebounding off crossbar and far post. We started both halves tentatively but grew into the game and, by the end, Daventry were holding on. They didn't do themselves any favours with some of their play and complaining, not least Josh Cole, who got his second yellow in second half stoppage time. Mind you, they weren't anywhere near as bad as Berkhamsted! Daventry caused us some problems and had some good efforts, taking the lead with an unstoppable 20-yarder top corner placement from Kieran Fitzgerald in the 28th minute. We didn't look overawed, and some were surprised that Joe Hughes (who'd put a fine shift in) was replaced by Conor Moody. Moments later, Conor's inch perfect defence-splitting pass put Mark Bitmead through and, still with plenty to do, Bitz scored a lovely 59th minute equaliser. Very difficult to choose a man of the match, as everyone put a fine stint in. Tom Hill looks a find and was my first half MOTM but he wasn't put under quite as much pressure after the break. For overall effort in both halves, I'd give it to Max Webb, who looked stylish. Nothing to fear on Tuesday. lads. Well done. PS - I wonder if Beano's warmed up after the ice bucket challenge at half time! PPS - Thanks to the ref and both teams for patiently waiting for my pre-match ramblings to finish. The ref looked like Tyler's dad - i wouldn't mess with him! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboyatmfc Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Excellent effort and we were without doubt the better team. We can go to Daventry and enjoy the game with nothing to lose. Max won the supporters M o M Well done all!! COYT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 May need to check the stability of the uprights before the next home game ! There probably still shaking after the peppering they got from us today, Daventry will know their FA Cup should be over but we will go again on Tuesday. The replay has the potential to be a cracker # Fear no one !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B378 Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Excellent performance from the team today. Unfortunate that the times we hit the woodwork we didn't get the deflection we wanted. On the balance of play, we should be looking forward to facing Hitchin Town, instead it's a replay on Tuesday. Wish I could be there to cheer the lads on, but working lates. Thanks to Swifty for wishing Freddie a happy birthday over the tannoy, also thanks to Mark for the mention in the programme. Freddie was over the moon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 Excellent performance from the team today. Unfortunate that the times we hit the woodwork we didn't get the deflection we wanted. On the balance of play, we should be looking forward to facing Hitchin Town, instead it's a replay on Tuesday. Wish I could be there to cheer the lads on, but working lates. Thanks to Swifty for wishing Freddie a happy birthday over the tannoy, also thanks to Mark for the mention in the programme. Freddie was over the moon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkT Posted August 30, 2014 Share Posted August 30, 2014 It's the least we could do Ian hope he enjoyed his day today and has a fantastic Birthday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlimBoyFat Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 From the Daventry website: Daventry Town are still in the FA Cup, after struggling to overcome a resilient, skilful and hard working Ashford Town at the Robert Parker Stadium on one of the best playing surfaces I have seen for a long time, at this level! Daventry took the lead after 27minutes, Kieran Fitzgerald moved into space from the left hand side of the field and hit a rasping shot which took a slight deflection, sending the ball high to the keepers left. Daventry survived a difficult second half at Ashford Town after the home side hit the woodwork three times and scored a well worked goal to earn a replay at Communications Park. Daventry received three yellow cards and Josh Cole was sent off for the second time already this season after receiving two yellow cards in the last thirty minutes of the match, a disciplinary issue Daventry Town Manager Darran Foster will need to address in the coming weeks. The Referee also found time to speak to the Daventry bench, as frustrations began to boil over, mainly because of some curious refereeing decisions! `The Ash Trees` deservedly equalised early in the second half, a defence splitting pass fell at the feet of the impressive striker Mark Bitmead who continued his stride to thump the ball low under Daventry keeper Ben Heath. Daventry Manager Darran Foster made a double substitution with fifteen minutes remaining, to try and change the direction of the game and to some extent it worked, the height of striker Mitchell Piggon enabled Daventry Town to win far more balls in the air and Barry Deacon settled the midfield and produced several good moves going forward! By the final whistle Daventry were fortunate to still be on level terms and will look forward to the replay as an opportunity to take them into the first qualifying round, an away trip to Premier Division Hitchin Town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swifty Posted August 31, 2014 Share Posted August 31, 2014 Fair play to The Purple Army. Nice to see a balanced, honest and praiseworthy report from them. Some sides at their level would be more condescending and one-sided in their reporting. I probably gave a slightly darker account of Daventry than they deserved. Daventry played their part in a really enjoyable game, especially in the first half. I still think we were immense, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.