|
Lordswood won 2-1 in extra time having held on to a 1-0 lead until the 94th min.
An evenly contested first half saw few chances but Lordswood took one of the few that came their way just before half time-expertly tucked into the corner to beat the advancing keeper. Lords' keeper was equal to Corinthian's best few chances-one a stunning one handed strong parry on a well struck shot that was pushed aside for a corner.
Lordswood defended the 2nd half under a bit more pressure from a Corinthian side eager to reduce the deficit. The Lords also played some good pressure football when they had the ball and threatened the Corinthian goal many times without over troubling the keeper even though there was 2 great chances to wrap the game up.
Whilst Corinthian were shading possession Lordswood were content to deal with everything that was thrown at them and the keeper wasnt called into action much but when he was on the few occasions he proved strong enough and saved well a few times.
A goal mouth scramble had been blocked twice in the area before a deflected shot crept into the corner in the 94th minute
"Where the 5 mins ET came from -I dont know," said Lords manager Andy Slade. "We had made a sub after 50 mins-injury forced and made another after 85 mins but never was there 5 mins ET!"
"I sensed we were good enough to cope with them with their tails up having just saved their tie at that stage so long as we kept concentration and we played the same way after the changes."
The first period of extra time proved to be stalemate, then Lordswood lost one of their players to injury following an awkward challenge on him, meaning they'd have to play the rest of about 12 mins with 10 men.
"Keep believing I told all the players-keep your focus on stopping them and we would get a break."
Lordswood got that break with about 9 mins to go-as the midfield which worked tirelessly throughout supported the single attacker. A great run by the Lordswood striker-full of strength and power, shrugging off the Corinthian defenders to lay the ball invitingly to be struck by a midfield runner around the penalty spot-proved to be the winner.
Lordswood kept goal side and grouped together to see the game out but not without a few more threatening forays into the Corinthian half.
"We were not at our very best today but we played very well at times-some great interchanging and passages of passing and compusure were in evidence," said Slade. "Two sides that want to play the game the right way helps but our resilience and determination saw us over the line without expanding too much wasted energy."
Lordswood will now face Whitstable Away in round 5-the quarter finals in about 4 weeks time.
|