Town welcomed Galleywood to Love Lane for this second round senior cup tie on Saturday. For the second week running there were numerous players missing including Grandy, Liam Murphy, Jeater, Lee Humphrey & Flighty, leaving Town with a bare 12.

Galleywood started the brighter and, possession wise, had the better of the opening minutes but on the break Town created a couple of half chances that Rob Newman & Ben Polley were just unable to convert. With Andy Allen impressively marshalling the new look back 3, including Lodgey and youngster Ben Stone, Town looked solid at the back and they started to get their act together and edged the remainder of the first half although clear cut chances were at a premium at both ends. The mightily impressive Galleywood keeper did make one excellent save to deny Town a few minutes before half time. So half time arrived scoreless with everything to play for.

Town started the second half in determined mood and it came as no real surprise when Town went ahead after 12 minutes with a goal of stunning quality from Polley, a superbly struck volley from fully 20 yards that flew into the net via the post, 1-0. Town were now buoyant and surged forward in droves looking for a second goal but just in the middle of their best spell of the game Paul Hughes was sent off, reducing Town to 10 men and forcing a bit of a reshuffle. This setback seemed to inspire Town further, and despite only having 10 men they continued to have the better of the game and looked the more likely team to score. The Galleywood keeper made another great save and Town were denied two very good penalty appeals. Chris Headon who had been neat and tidy with his distribution was withdrawn and replaced by Ready in an effort to shore things up. Galleywood threw everything at Town including the kitchen sink, but the back 3 coped comfortably and Chris Neal in goal was not called into serious action. Just when it looked like Town were heading into the next round Galleywood got the ball forward with a few minutes remaining; their striker ran across young Ben Stone and their legs got tangled up, I have seen them given and I have seen them refused, on this occasion the referee awarded a penalty without a seconds hesitation which was despatched to force the game into extra time, 1-1.

To their immense credit Town still didn't buckle despite suffering the cruel disappointment of being denied less than 2 minutes away from victory and being down to 10 men and they came out in determined fashion. Seven minutes into extra time, Town took the lead again. They were awarded a free kick on the half way line, and young Brad Merrick who was quite outstanding throughout, grabbed the ball and played an inch perfect 40 yard pass to Polley who's control was instant, before rounding the defender and slotting the ball home for another high quality finish, 2-1. Just before half time Brad Merrick went on an unbelievable run which started deep inside his own half. He kept going, rounding defenders, and then at the end of it, he had the calm head to play in Polley for what looked like the decisive goal but he was denied by yet another brilliant save by their keeper, so the score stayed 2-1 until half time.

For the final 15 minutes of this pulsating cup tie, Town with no fresh legs to introduce tired and Galleywood threw everything at them to force an equaliser. During this spell Andy Allen, Lodgey and Ben Stone were immense at the back, heading, tackling and defending like their lives depended on it and when the ball was put forward Polley, playing up front on his own, worked as hard as I have ever seen him and he caused Galleywood's defence problem after problem. The Galleywood keeper (yes him again - he was a real nuisance !!!!!) made another excellent save from a Polley free kick. With 3 minutes left, Galleywood were awarded a corner which resulted in a goalmouth scramble during which a Galleywood player struck a fierce shot goal wards that hit Andy Allens hand resulting in a penalty and a red card for Andy. The penalty was scored making it 2-2 and the final whistle blew a minute or two later.

The way the day had gone there was no way Town were going to win the penalty shoot out, and so it proved, as Town missed twice and Galleywood went through 4-1 on penalties.

Player of the match is a nightmare this week - Andy Allen was immense at the back, Lodgey in his first start of the season looked like he'd never been away, Ben Stone goes from strength to strength, Brad Merrick and Matt Macedo in midfield continue to defy their tender years and were outstanding, Mark Neal worked incredibly hard, won a million headers and tackles, dragged the team up when they needed it and drove them in a real inspirational skippers performance, Wiggy was his usual industrious self and was desperately unlucky to get sent off, Headon continues to catch the eye, Newman, another who started for the first time, showed great touch, awareness and vision, Polley was quality personified up front, and Ready worked like a Trojan when he came on but unfortunately has now 'done his ligaments in' so probably out for some weeks: I think Polley just edges it.

So rather disappointingly and it has to be said, undeservedly, Town went out of the cup at the first hurdle with goalkeeper Chris Neal not having to make a save in the entire 120 minutes - just wasn't our day but our congratulations go to Galleywood and we wish them well in the next round.

El Col