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Boro’s unbeaten record ended at Priory Lane with a 4-0 defeat in the FA Cup 1st Round. The match was far closer than the final scoreline suggested but the difference was a timely substitution, superior fitness and a front two combination that took their chances late on as the ‘part-time’ legs of The Sports tired in the closing stages chasing a goal.
The opening 8 minutes were a tense affair as the sides felt their way into the game, a cross wind providing neither side much advantage. On 9 minutes Boro had their 1st chance but Scott Ramsay could not provide any power in his shot. This effort heralded a period of home dominance and a couple of half chances culminated in a weak hand-ball penalty claim. Lee Hook saved bravely for Boro on 30 minutes and the half-ended with a golden opportunity for Matt Crabb to open the scoring when Ramsay delivered a wonderful cross and the diminutive winger rose high to head low into the corner; John Stewart making a great save to keep the score 0-0. Who knows what may have happened had the home side taken the lead at this crucial time, especially as the 1st 45 minutes were definitely theirs.
Boro started the 2nd half brightly with Paul Armstrong firing wide, an Andy Atkins shot saved and Atkins again just not having the pace to reach a Crabb through ball. The pivotal moment of the tie came on 52 minutes with Jefferson Louis replacing James Coutts. The big No.9’s 1st touch was to header home a right-wing corner for 1-0 ‘The Terras’. Boro responded with 3 quick substitutions and Allan Tait was subject of 2 good penalty claims waved away by Mr Hopkins, and earning a yellow card to boot. As ‘The Sports’ pressed for the equaliser on 80 minutes Louis provided a fine pass for Stuart Bevon to finish from a tight angle. 4 minutes later it was 3 with Bevon again firing home and just to rub salt in the wound the No.10 finished his hat-trick when he appeared to play the ball out of Hooks hands for number 4.
As the large crowd departed Priory Lane the debate was centered on the quality of BS Premier opponents, what may have been had the penalty been awarded etc. However it is also important to reflect on the excellent start the club have made to the 2007/2008 season, the willingness to take the game to higher division opponents, the attacking substitutions made to chase the equaliser, and the numbers who now appear happy to spend their Saturday afternoons at ‘The Lane’ with attendance’s slowly but surely climbing.
Match Details - Webmaster.
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