Report: FC Borough 3 FC Village 3 - Match abandoned 80 mins

The Village saw their Regent Cup match get abandoned just ater FC Borough were reduced to 9 men when one of their players was sent off with the score at 3-3 and about 10 minutes left. This was the first game since Dava had left for a long stint away in the Falklands and when Leigh failed to show due to work commitments the back four had to be shuffled around and these changes saw the side take a while to settle in.

Unfortunately this allowed the Div 1 side to open up an early two goal lead and it looked as though they might go on to enjoy an easy and comfortable win. However the Village clawed themselves back in to it as the defence got their act together and by half time the scores were level with the visitors up by one man. That all important opening goal for the Village came when Kenny made a good run down the right wing and his cross reached the far post where the incoming Machin fired home from close range. Then just before the interval another attack saw Pete win a great 50-50 tackle that allowed him a free run at goal down the left and he pulled the ball back as the keeper came out for Victor to sweep in to an empty net. Borough who had already had to use their one and only sub a few minutes earlier lost the player who had gone in to that tackle with Pete with an injury and so had to start the second half with just the 10 men.

This allowed the Village to take command and they used the extra space to create chance after chance. Some of these went begging before Machin made another great run down the left, cut in as he beat two players and laid the ball at Victor’s feet for him to notch his second of the game and put the Village ahead. The Village should have now really gone on to win this cup tie as they made numerous openings for themselves but they failed to convert any as Victor, Maggot, Pete and Ritchie all missed out on increasing their lead. The best chance fell to Victor after yet another great run by Machin saw him fire over the bar from inside the six yard box. Missing all these chances gave the home side some hope and when their centre forward scored a wonder goal from thirty yards which made it 3-3 they must have thought they could  win it as well. Then with about 10 minutes left the Borough got a free kick midway in the Village half but one of their players got involved with the ref. It appears he was shown a yellow card but then got a red for something else and so the home side were reduced to nine men. The discussion now moved to the sidelines without the free kick being taken and suddenly the ref blew the final whistle and abandoned the game. Both sides left the pitch somewhat bemused as to what had happened with the Village hoping that they would be the side that could benefit from this as they would lose that two man advantage if the game was replayed. They are still waiting on a decision from the League and County F.A. before they hear if they are in the quarter finals where they will face the leagues top team in Bird in Hand.

Team Line-up

FC Village: Hill: Metcalf, Whorton, Wilson, Byrne; Murphy, Aspey, Leeds, Machin; Thurgill, Eaton
Subs not used: Harper

More photos from this game click here