Mickleover Football Club

Report

THE EMIRATES FA CUP 21-22 – SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

Last Minute Goals End Sport FA Cup Run

Two goals in the last eight minutes for Basford ended Mickleover hopes of further progress in this seasons FA Cup.

Starting line-up: 1-Callum Hawkins 2-Jake Bennett 3-Ben Lewin 4-Joe Bateman 5-James Butler 6-Alex Morris 7-Andy Dales 15-Kemy Agustien 9-Dec Bacon 10-Stuart Beavon 11-Bobby Battisson. Subs: Josh Satchwell, Ethan Mann, Lee Holmes, Andrew Wright, George Atwal, Mason Warren, Roger Lee.

Agustien won a corner for Mickleover in the opening minute, from which Butler headed just wide.

But play quickly turned from defence to attack for Basford with two quick attempts from Kane Richards, forcing Hawkins into his first save of the match.

Declan Dunn then fouled Beavon, but Agustien’s free kick was wide.

Seven minutes in however and it was 1-0, when Lewin was in just the right place to slot home his first senior goal.

Four minutes later Dales had a shot straight at Collin in the Basford goal, before Aaron O’Connor forced Butler to clear defensive lines after a quick break from the visitors.

Dales tried his luck again with a long range shot from a Beavon pass, well wide, before Basford skipper Matt Thornhill fired over the Mickleover bar in another quick response.

Richards tried a shot from a narrow angle, but it was easily dealt with by Hawkins, but after 25 minutes Beavon had a shot saved after picking up a loose back pass from Thornhill.

The end to end action continued however as O’Connor shot wide, followed by a similar attempt from Richards and another shot over the bar from Thornhill.

Mickleover had to call on an early sub though when Bateman was injured on the half hour and was replaced by Warren.

It was Basford on the attack though, with Thornhill and O’Connor combining before shooting wide, followed by a second volley  just wide from Thornhill  a couple of minutes later.

Bennett then had to make a decisive block, before Basford made it 1-1 after 41 minutes. A long ball from Brad Gascoigne found Rev James, who’s first shot was saved by Hawkins, but the rebound left him with an easy finish.

Just before half time there was another blow for Mickleover when Bennett went off injured to be replaced by Lee. Morris then had to make a goal line clearance in the closing seconds to keep it 1-1 at half time.

As the teams came out for the second half there had been another change, with new signing Holmes on for Battisson.

There was an early free kick for Mickleover when Dunn fouled Beavon, but after 53 minutes a break on the right left Beavon clear for a shot just wide of the post.

But Basford continued to threaten as both sought to take the lead again. Ryan Wilson fed Hawkridge who beat Agustien before Hawkins saved his chip shot.

Beavon received a yellow card for a foul on Richards and on the hour Butler had to make another clearance from an attempt by Betts.

Both sides were lacking that final ball and were being caught in possession, so overall it was till wide open.

But with eight minutes on the clock James and Marshall combined to find Richards, who was left one on one with Hawkins to make it 1-2.

Butler was then in the book too for an unnecessary push, as time was running out for Mickleover.

Into injury time James was on the receiving end of a quick break from Basford as Mickleover tried to push forward. 1-3 and it was game over and the end of the FA Cup hopes for another year.