AFC Stoneham opened their FA cup campaign with a fine 2-1 victory away against Moneyfields on Saturday afternoon.
Stonehams’ first opening came on the 15 minute mark when a Jim Orvis in swinging corner floated over to the far post where Jake Thomson was able to arrive with an agonisingly close header into the side netting.
The Purps came close once more when another Jim Orvis cross from the right was met by Alex Welch however his header from close range floated just over the top of the bar.
In response, Moneyfields took the lead in the 26 th minute with a square ball and a tap in into an open net for Scott Hills after Stoneham were caught on the break.
Stoneham had a penalty four minutes later as an onrushing Tyrell Sampson was pulled down in the area, before Owen Fee had his penalty saved to the goalkeepers left and he converted the rebound.
The next chance of the game was to fall to Moneyfields as right back Marco De Sousa latched onto a through ball only to strike wide to the right of Callum Lees net. Stoneham soon went close as a Owen Fee through ball was latched onto by Tyrell Sampson whose shot struck the post.
Moneyfields forced a scare for the Purps early in the second half from a corner as a flurry of chances came to no avail before Callum Lee palmed the resulting corner away.
As the game was nearing an end, Stoneham took the lead as a header across the box was met by Oliver Jenkins who headed home, much to joyous celebration. Stoneham nearly had the game wrapped up, however Jamie Truckels fierce drive hit the right hand post.
The games conclusion was a heated one, resulting in Moneyfields centre back Jack Lee receiving a second yellow and a sending off before Owen Fee followed him with an early walk down the tunnel for a second bookable offence, a mere negative note in a positive afternoon for AFC Stoneham.
Head coach Isaac Berry was pleased his sides display against the oppositional threat: “We weathered the storm from them in some periods of the game and scored right at the end to see it out so it was a really pleasing performance in the end.”
Berry was also wary of the challenges to come: “It is a long season and we need to prepare right for it.”
Transcription:
Me: Fine 2-1 victory today Isaac, what did you make of the one?
Isaac: I think it was a really difficult game, in some parts we had to weather a storm
from some of their threats, who are really good at what they do and they caused us a
lot of problems. But, we weathered the storm and scored right at the end to see it out
so it was a really good performance in the end.
Me: Obviously it was quite a heated affair, how did you feel your players handled it?
Isaac: I thought we handled it really well. We had to change shape a few times near
the end which is never easy changing shape like that but obviously with both lads
being sent off, it makes things easier 10 vs 10 and we can match things up a little bit.
But, we dealt with it the problems well. Like I said, they caused us a lot, but we
managed to get through it.
Me: This game followed an unforeseen midweek pre season victory, how important
is it to make sure your players are ready for whatever, regardless of the
circumstances?
Isaac: Yeah listen, we faced a lot of challenges in pre season and we have had to
adapt to that. Today was another adaption, in terms of coming away from home to a
really difficult ground and a really difficult place, but again it is a really good start to
the season and good victory for us going forward.
Me: A word on the FA cup itself and what it means to smaller clubs?
Isaac: The FA cup is massive for clubs like this and the additional income and
additional games for the players which is massive. But, obviously it is an opportunity
to go and play really good club sides if you can get far enough in. The club was lucky
enough to go and play Yeovil last season and we want days like that again, we want
days like that every season, if we can get promoted and win cup games we can play
better teams and better clubs and that is ultimately what you want to do as a club, as
staff and players that is what you want.
Me: Looking forward to the league on Tuesday what can you expect from
Brockenhurst?
Isaac: It is a quick turnaround and a challenge for us but we will be focusing on that
straight away after the game, focusing on recovery, focusing on making sure we get
the lads physically right. Obviously we are going to have to make changes now but
that is part of having a squad. We are going to need every member of the squad this
season. Brockenhurst came off the back of a good victory the other day and they will
be hungry for the challenge. It is a long season and we need to prepare right for it.
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