This game had been postponed three times, having originally been scheduled for last term, and pitted the Emma boys against a Fitz side two divisions above (in the same league as the Is). But we were fired up and from the first whistle denied the Fitz players time and space. Much of the first half was scrappy, with Fitz trying hopeful balls over the top and down the sides, and Emma defending comfortably but not finding attacking options easily – probably due to the defensive formation.
Tom Richardson hit the post with a slightly misdirected cross from the byline, but that was as close as the ball got to either goal in the first 45. It was all about hard work and effort, and Emma were full of it. Richard and Seb defended the line balls that Fitz were reduced to well, Adam and Mike were rocks at the heart of defense, and the midfield 5 kept Fitz's midfield out of the game.
It was Emma who started the second period better, too, with some good wing play (particularly from Tom down the right) and good midfield possession by Kav and Gus. Emma had been forcing corners all game, and the set pieces looked the most likely source of a goal. Alan hit a crisp volley from 6 yards saved by the keeper off one corner, but apart from that there were only half chances created.
In fact Fitz nearly scored a goal of their own from a corner, Hans slightly misjudging a low one and coming out, the shot being blocked by Richard and the danger averted. Apart from that the defence was as solid as it had been in the first 45.
Possibly the game's best chance fell to Alan, after a weakish shot from Karl was carelessly dropped by the keeper. Alan turned the keeper and made himself a shooting angle, only to see the ball headed off the line by a covering defender. The last 20 minutes were all Emma, but again clear-cut chances were hard to find. On more than one occasion Alan found himself on a break down the right, but there was no-one running into the front post to lay it back to and the chance had gone.
The game ended 0-0, in other circumstances a very satisfying performance, and it seemed that Emma would take their ascendancy into extra time. But one inspired pass from their striker and a run from midfield left the Fitz no 6 through on goal, and with their first real chance of the game he calmly stroked the ball past Hans and int the corner, for a 1-0 lead they hardly deserved.
Fitz finally began to find their game, helped partly by a tired and frustrated Emma back 4, but Emma still forced plenty of attacking play in the remaining 25 minutes. The best chances again looked like being corners, but luck was not on Emmanuel's side and a chance never presented itself.
On another day this would have been an Emma victory, but cup competitions do not shine on the college and this one left us wondering what we have to do to progress. A fantastic effort by all, particularly those who played the full 120, but the II's must now "concentrate on the league".
Team (4–5–1): Hans Sutton
Richard Smith, Adam Stevens, Mike Henson, Seb Neilson
James ? (Chris Jones, h-t), Kavin Wadhar, Tom Hopwood (Carl ?, 60), Gus O'Brien, Tom Richardson (Tom ?, 78)
Alan Elder
Goals: none