Disappointing

Boston United vs Worcester City (FA Cup)

"Disappointment: (noun) The emotion felt when a strongly held expectation is not met"

Well, that was disappointing.  I've not been that disappointed since the day which shall not be mentioned at Marine.  The FA cup is really important to the managers, or so they say.  That must be why they made four changes to a winning team for the start of this match at York St.  Semple, Sleath and Weir-Daley were all dropped for Davies; Cullingworth and Jesus himself, Marc Newsham.  The other change was enforced by Peterborough who insisted that on loan 'keeper McKeown not be cup tied meaning a start for Butcher.

Early controversy abounded when the Worcester front-man Danks flew through Pearson in what some people call a 'red-card challenge'.  I've seen people sent-off for less but it would probably have been harsh and the Yellow was about right.  The 1352 at York St probably realised it was going to be one of those days about 15 minutes in the very same Danks curled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards.  I don't care what you think of Butcher; there was no way he was getting to that!  A smattering of applause from the Pilgrims support added to the jubilation of the Worcester faithful.  Five minutes later the Boston defence backed off and allowed a shot to come in; McKeown would've dealt with it easily, the much maligned Butcher didn't.  The ball squirmed past some weak goalkeeping into the bottom corner.  2-0 and we were in trouble.

'What are you DOING, Butcher?'  - a common call around York St. when he plays.

The team just wasn't gelling.  Davies in the middle looked ponderous and seemed to have the turning circle of a large oil-tanker.  This left Church to do all the running and with consequence Worcester were bossing the game and almost creating chances at will.  With a lack of service from midfield any chances that did present themselves for Boston were created by the genius of Newsham.  Newsh played some brilliant flicks and passes to get Davidson into the game.  Unfortunately Davidson was back to his usual self and a golden chance was spurned following a great save from the City 'keeper.  Danny injured himself in the challenge for the ball and was replaced by Spencer Weir-Daley.

Davidson's injury: the start of the Pilgrims comeback.

Ryan Semple came on after the break and Boston picked up a little making the odd chance or so.  The persistence was rewarded when the Worcester 'keeper tried to be clever by shielding the ball past Newsham and out of play.  The Newsh confirmed his deserved man of the match award when he duly punished the 'keeper's impertinence by nicking the ball and slotting home from a tight angle.  Sleath was brought on just after this to reunite the full first team, other than McKeown.  Boston looked much, much better despite the ridiculous linesman who appeared to have flag-Tourette's, randomly flagging for offside or a foul when nothing had happened.  Boston were absolutely battering City and it should've been two when Weir-Daley missed a brilliant chance at the back post.  Moments later it was two as Yates got on the end of a cross to stab home.  The Pilgrims even played some of the second half with ten men as Pearson was off the pitch having a head wound treated.

Commitment: Pearson back on the pitch after a lengthy treatment to his head.

The momentum was well and truly with the Pilgrims and there was a feeling around the ground that we'd go on to win this now.  This was almost the case but Weir-Daley missed yet another sitter at the back post - very unlike him.  So 2-2 and a replay, not that bad I suppose.  That's what I would've been saying if the game had finished in the 88th minute.  Last minute of normal time and Tom Thorely went clean through on goal for Worcester until last-man Jelleyman rugby tackled him.  So a red card then?  No.  I don't know how the ref. got that wrong but he did.  That was the most stonewall sending off you will ever see.  Just about sums up the official's day really.  Even though Jelleyman was lucky to remain on the pitch City still had a free kick in a good position.  The people around me had a bad feeling about this set-piece and they were not wrong.  The free-kick rebounded out to Glover who hit the inside of the post with a scuffed shot.  Butcher just stood there and watched the ball roll along the line and in.  Terrible 'keeping; NEVER PLAY FOR US AGAIN, BUTCHER!

So it finished: 3-2 and the Worcester fans and team were celebrating like they'd won the cup.  No hard feelings towards them, they may have put in a few hard tackles but they won the game thanks to a weakened, first-half Boston team and some woeful goalkeeping from Butcher: think 'Almunia with far more mistakes' and you won't be far off.  I was talking to one of their fans in the pub after the game and I can do no more than wish them the best of luck for the next round and the coming season - except against us of course!

I am, it has to be said, not impressed.  We always seem to perform badly in the FA competitions.  Add this loss to the defeats at Lowestoft and Quorn last year and the poor record starts to add up.  Whilst we are doing well in the league we really do need the money from a good cup run.  The other point brought to the fore by this game is the lack of strength in depth of our squad.  Heaven forbid we get a midfield injury and have to rely on Davies, we'd finish in the relegation zone if that were to happen!

Next up: the Pilgrims return to league action away at Vauxhall Motors.