FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

[Shredding Green]

Whatever The FA think, I consider the adjective should be placed in front of the noun.

I won't see you all tomorrow as being a Man of Kent, the tie at my other local side Hayes & Yeading United v Tonbridge Angels appeals more.

I thought that the report on Whitehawk's 1st Qualifying Round tie might be of interest to some of you :-

LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN 4  WHITEHAWK 5

HAWKS PROGRESS IN THE FA CUP

9TH SEPTEMBER 2021

Well would you look at that : The calendar flips to September and there we have it, sun. And not just any old sun, either. No, this one was sizzling the surface throughout the duration of the match. A day perhaps when the majority of Littlehampton’s inhabitants flock to its jagged stone beaches and wide, green spaces. Oh, what a cup tie they missed.

That’s right. A nine-goal thriller on the coast. It’s what the FA Cup is built upon. Steeped in tradition, where upsets are what spark that energy, igniting the flame for football’s oldest competition to prosper. But on this occasion that ‘cupset’ would be lacking as Whitehawk just scraped into the next round following a breathless 4-5 affair at The Sportsfield.

The journey began in only the second minute. With a healthy dose of supporters from both sides lining the sides and ends of the pitch, the hosts would fire their fans into prompt jubilation. There can be no worse start from Ross Standen’s point of view. An   
in-swinging Dave Herbert cross found Dion Jarvis in an ocean of space. He headed it back into the mixer where
Nathan Stroomberg clawed the effort into the path of George Gaskin, who tapped it in. Simple stuff, effective stuff. But unequivocally avoidable.

And then came the resistance. Eleven minutes in and the scores were level. Callum Edwards was in fine form throughout, and this move appeared to start that irrepressible trend. It was his low cross that was diverted into the path of Henry Muggeridge by the calm Javaun Splatt. With Muggeridge patient, expectant, he fizzed one beyond James Binfield to even up the score.

And yet, there would be a lot more to discuss. In the midst of chances at either end, the Hawks would strike the next blow. From the penalty spot it was, James Fraser gave the ‘keeper the eyes as he sent Binfield the wrong way 12 yards out after Muggeridge was bundled over by Lewis Jenkins. The visitors in front, but that lead was almost wiped out in an instant as Joe Benn slotted past Stroomberg, only for the linesman’s flag to halt the celebrations.

The wait for those limbs would not drag on. As the stopwatch struck the thirty, this fixture would be knotted up once more. Again from the penalty spot, Herbert’s calm and cool pass into the bottom corner would push the pendulum in the opposite direction.

But just give it a few minutes and we’re convinced proceedings will take another turn. There it is : Muggeridge at the double! Stand and deliver, El Capitano. Fraser’s shot on the spin is seemingly blocked by the arm of a ‘Marigold’ defender, but the captain is there again to mop up the pieces as he smacked one past Binfield from 8 yards out. A feast of goals in the opening half … but strap in for what was to follow, it’s just getting started.

Things were just getting started for Ollie Munt, too, who was thrown onto the field in place of Fraser. Two minutes after his inception onto the immaculate turf and a yellow card would be brandished in his face. In the grand scheme of things those fifteen minutes after the restart were of a slightly subdued nature. That is, until the necessary wood was added to the dying flames. Benn the scorer, he lashed home a volley from relatively close-range after Jarvis had delivered the ball to him on a silver platter. The hosts had pulled it back to 3-3. What else did this have in store for the 525 spectators?

The sun still blanketing Sussex, the players were immense as they toiled hard in the scalding heat. Tegan Freeman replaced
Simon Mensah who had ran himself into the ground with little over twenty minutes of the engrossing contest remaining. Time continued to tick with nothing … nothing until the 84th minute.

It’s in! A maiden Whitehawk goal for Callum Edwards, and a laudable strike too. In an unfamiliar advanced position, Edwards would be wheeling away in delight having swept home a fourth following a genius lay off from Splatt. The finish was precise, much to the obvious delight of the travelling Hawks fans. Five to go … where next does this tie go?

Bereft of belief, the Hawks added a fifth. The hosts had their chances but in the end it would be the Hawks prevailing. The flying arms were still air bound by the time Omarr Lawson crushed the ball past Binfield to make it 3-5 with little time remaining. The first time a two-goal lead had been seen, surely that would suffice.

For all the twists and turns this game offered there was always going to be late drama. Gaskin at the double this time, he sent a curling effort towards goal that whizzed into the far top-corner from just outside the box. Everything seemed to be finding the net. It’s never easy in this game.

End-to-end, hearts in mouths – the beauty of the FA Cup has rarely been more vividly depicted on the pitch in all its history. Deep, deep into stoppage time and there’s a break in play. The whistle goes. Whitehawk are through. By the faintest skin of their teeth, Standen’s side march on into the next round.

Catch your breath, you’ll need it for Saturday. Ashford are the visitors to the TerraPura before the next round of the FA Cup takes place the following weekend. Ah, haven’t we all missed this bombardment of football. It’s days like these that make this the beautiful game.

[SloughFlyer]

Well what to say about that shambles!!!!!!!

A few thoughts - the team selection prior to kick off made no sense at all. Why did we have 2 right backs and no wingers with Lawal and Goueth on the bench? A terrible decision in team selection by the managers.

The team that played that match should be ashamed and embarrassed. No effort, no passion, no work rate, no ability and a poor attitude shown by most.

A few years back when we drew 2-2 at home in the FA Cup (I think v Sholing) I made a mistake by shouting at Neil about how poor the performance was, so today I didn't bother as if the team doesn't care why should we as supporters. It seemed like Jon and Neil were the only ones that actually cared today as at least they showed some passion on the touchline.

I'm calling on the players to a man to announce that they are donating all of their wages from that game to the GoFund me for Ryan Bird as if any of them think they deserve to be paid for that performance they are kidding themselves.

Once again when playing lower league opposition our team has shown a "big time Charlie" attitude like they are too good to be on the same pitch as a team from 2 leagues below. Well today unlike Sholing and Bristol Manor Farm, they found out that they aren't as good as perhaps they would like to think.

Whitehawk were by far the better team on the day and 100% deserved to beat us and to be honest, I think we were lucky to keep them to 3 goals. If that team has let in 14 goals in the 3 matches, doesn't say much for our attack does it!

No point calling out individuals today as they were all rubbish. There are a few on on forum here that like to defend the team no matter what, I wait with baited breath to hear what those people have to say today!

I also think the mystery of the low attendances has been solved. My Dad, myself and my son cost £29 to get into that game, then we had a programme, a fivers worth of golden goals each and drinks before the game and half time. Best part of £50 for that???

Edited September 18, 2021 by SloughFlyer

[RebelVilla]

I've bern watching Slough for over 30 years now and this has to be one of the poorest performances that i can recall.

The best team won by a country mile.

Could anyone work out our formation in the first half, 4-5-1 maybe or 4-2-3-1?

Good luck to Whitehawk in the next round.

 

[GlenSTFC]

So disappointing not only the result, but the manner in which we lost. I don’t think we believed we were too good I just don’t think our squad is that strong. But I still think we should have won that match especially against a side that’s struggling in their division and shipping a few goals. Hate to say it but I think the league campaign could be a struggle so the FA Cup was or could have been a nice distraction and more importantly an important money earner as I feel our attendances will stay around 500 which means there will be no extra funds to bring in better players. Not sure what the crowd was today but it only looked in the 300’s. Luckily this season only 1 team gets relegated and I would hope we have enough to not be dragged into that.

[Irishadrian]

A few more teams in our league showed no respect for lesser opponents

Dulwich H 0  Bedfont S 1

Frome       2  Oxford C   1

Welling     0   Harrow     2

I'm hoping  Baks/Unders will have some credible explanation for that display.

[Irishadrian]

Glen STFC

That was also one of my first thoughts that a potentially lucrative money stream is snuffed out at first attempt.

[Rebellier]

Abject

Embarrassing

Giant - killed

[PaxtonLee]

I thought it was impressive how Whitehawk had a distinct and clear way of playing which they didn’t panic and detract from even when they went behind. In total stark contrast to us, sadly. Neat footballers in the middle of the park (who are perhaps too similar) and out wide but it felt too often the default was to go direct. The team, to me, looks like what it is, a side that have lost some strong characters over the last year for various reasons (both Togwells, Jack Turner, Warren Harris, etc…). 

[SloughFlyer]

27 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

So disappointing not only the result, but the manner in which we lost. I don’t think we believed we were too good I just don’t think our squad is that strong. But I still think we should have won that match especially against a side that’s struggling in their division and shipping a few goals. Hate to say it but I think the league campaign could be a struggle so the FA Cup was or could have been a nice distraction and more importantly an important money earner as I feel our attendances will stay around 500 which means there will be no extra funds to bring in better players. Not sure what the crowd was today but it only looked in the 300’s. Luckily this season only 1 team gets relegated and I would hope we have enough to not be dragged into that.

I think the attendance was announced as 351 (but wouldn't bet on that).

I hate to break it to you Glen, but we are well in the relegation battle already.

[Shredding Green]

I hope to be at Bulpit Lane, Hungerford next Saturday afternoon but I make no apologies for choosing Hayes & Yeading United 5 Tonbridge Angels 0 this afernoon. 3-1 would have been a better reflection of the match but 5-0 it was before 325 at The SKYex.

[GlenSTFC]

5 minutes ago, SloughFlyer said:

I think the attendance was announced as 351 (but wouldn't bet on that).

I hate to break it to you Glen, but we are well in the relegation battle already.

Too early to state that SF but we’ve obviously had a poor start and yes luck has deserted us but we can’t rely on that. Not sure after today’s exit if there are any funds available to bring in 1 or 2 players who have the bit of quality and/or experience to get some vital points to steer us away from getting sucked into the lower reaches. Hopefully the next couple of games will see a big response.

[Reading Rebel]

Hard to disagree with what's already been said.

I was surprised with how we set up in the first half but still thought we had enough quality on the pitch to get the job done, but unfortunately this proved to be totally wrong.

The two goals we gave away in the first half were the result of some absolutely dreadful defending and reminiscent of Sunday morning park football.

The midfield pairing of Aaron Kuhl and George Hunt were lightweight and totally ineffective for practically the whole match.

Up front their keeper was hardly tested and probably had his easiest 90+ minutes of the season so far.

It's only my opinion but I'm really not sure why we played Lenchy in such an advanced position. I think he is our best and most effective midfielder and playing him out of position just seems a waste when we really need to get him on the ball as much as possible.

I think we did improve with the change at half time but still didn't really create anything decent and in the end we went out of the cup with a whimper.

Edited September 18, 2021 by Reading Rebel

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

this team needs a shot of reality, they need to be read the riot act and be told if they don't perform then theirpositions are up for grabs by players in the u23/u18s they might not be as complete as our senior team players but at least they will show som e passion and looking at the recent results they have a winning mentality.

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, SloughFlyer said:

Well what to say about that shambles!!!!!!!

A few thoughts - the team selection prior to kick off made no sense at all. Why did we have 2 right backs and no wingers with Lawal and Goueth on the bench? A terrible decision in team selection by the managers.

The team that played that match should be ashamed and embarrassed. No effort, no passion, no work rate, no ability and a poor attitude shown by most.

A few years back when we drew 2-2 at home in the FA Cup (I think v Sholing) I made a mistake by shouting at Neil about how poor the performance was, so today I didn't bother as if the team doesn't care why should we as supporters. It seemed like Jon and Neil were the only ones that actually cared today as at least they showed some passion on the touchline.

I'm calling on the players to a man to announce that they are donating all of their wages from that game to the GoFund me for Ryan Bird as if any of them think they deserve to be paid for that performance they are kidding themselves.

Once again when playing lower league opposition our team has shown a "big time Charlie" attitude like they are too good to be on the same pitch as a team from 2 leagues below. Well today unlike Sholing and Bristol Manor Farm, they found out that they aren't as good as perhaps they would like to think.

Whitehawk were by far the better team on the day and 100% deserved to beat us and to be honest, I think we were lucky to keep them to 3 goals. If that team has let in 14 goals in the 3 matches, doesn't say much for our attack does it!

No point calling out individuals today as they were all rubbish. There are a few on on forum here that like to defend the team no matter what, I wait with baited breath to hear what those people have to say today!

I also think the mystery of the low attendances has been solved. My Dad, myself and my son cost £29 to get into that game, then we had a programme, a fivers worth of golden goals each and drinks before the game and half time. Best part of £50 for that???

You can't defend the indefensible. 

[GarySTFC]

Att 395 today. 

[Reading Rebel]

1 minute ago, GarySTFC said:

Att 395 today. 

Around the 400 mark was predicted so no real surprise with the attendance.

[SloughFlyer]

Just watched Neil's interview. Pretty much echo'd what I said in original post so couldn't have said it better myself and would thank him for his honesty.

Plenty of post-mortem work for the managers to do but 1 thing that can never be said about both Neil and Jon is that they hide or make excuses. Fair play to them for that and hopefully they can get things turned around ASAP.

[Reading Rebel]

I haven't yet watched the interview but total honesty is what you'll always get from them.

[Sir Rebel1965]

Whitehawk came with a good plan which worked for them and they got the well-deserved reward.

Slough demonstrated no plan, no structure, and the wrong mix of players on the field.

The last time I saw an FA cup tie so poor was the 11^th September 2010 against Erith – and that had a make shift team with the coaching staff playing to make numbers up.

Well the chance to add any FA Cup money to the funds has been blown, a good number of fair weather supporters will not be back till next season (if we are lucky!) and a bitter taste has been left in the mouths of the loyal supporters – so talk of bringing in new players on any wage is out the window, as this year’s budget will be cut right to the bone.

Have things at Slough at all levels become too complacent?

Maybe the players need to sign on for the half term coaching courses to see if they can learn anything about defending, passing to their own players, tackling, shooting on target………………….

[sdelaney]

Shame for a group of Hawk supporters who missed all of 1st half with hold ups on M25 and then they went to Wexham Park.

There team done them proud.