After an indifferent start the season, a lack of form and a lack of a little bit of luck, Hykeham Tigers went into their first foray in the County Cup against Grimsby Side AFC Bradley.
After the midweek game against Burton's FCW, there were a few changes to the side that won a last minute point. Matt Wilson was still sidelined with his fractured foot, and Andy Myers was also sidelined with a freak ankle injury. Paul Sturton started Centre back, after a hugely impressive stand in performance against Burtons, and Tom Dickinson also returned to the side after a period of absense. The line up chosen by Giovannetti was:
GK- Chris Bennett
LB- Tom Dickinson
CB- Paul Sturton
CB- Sam Newton
RB- Aaron Starbuck
LM- Ashley Murphy
CM- Christopher Quinn
CM- Ian Seivwright
RM- Callum Fatchett
CF- Daniel Daubney
ST- Kris Nelson
SUB- James Pickering
SUB- Craig Froggatt
SUB- Gavin Brown
SUB- Nick Billington
SUB- Tom Skelton
Hykeham had a bright start to the game, and looked the more likely out of the two sides to get the first goal. Some good work by Ian Seivwright and Callum Fatchett fashioned first real chance for Tigers with Kris Nelson coming close. Afc Bradley then started to show some of the form that won them their respective league last season. A neat move down their right hand side saw them slide the ball across the path of Chris Bennett and the Bradley striker managed to hit the bar from a yard out and really let the Hykeham outfit off.
However, they were so lucky soon after. Moments after Chris Bennett had hauled down the Bradley striker, and was lucky to get away with not giving away a penalty, Hykeham conceded. A route one kick from the goalkeeper was not dealt with by the centre backs, or by Keeper Bennett which left the smallest man on the pitch to challenge Bennett in the air, and the ball fell kindly to his feet leaving him an open goal to make it 1-0 to the Grimsby Side.
Hykeham had a few more good chances in the half, and came close on several occasions. From a Tom Dickinson corner, Chris Quinn forced a good save from the keeper from a glancing header that really looked goal bound. However, Hykeham went into half time, a goal down.
Giovannetti made no changes at half time, and chose to keep the side the same. The second half started similar to the first, Tigers were on top. Then game the pivotal moment of the game. Some poor defending by Bradley, saw them try to step up incorrectly and left Kris Nelson one on one with the keeper. Kris believed himself to be offside and slowed down, then tried to pass Ash Murphy in who was in an offside position. A goal here really would have changed the game for the Tigers but it was not to be.
Moments later, Tom Dickinson in an inocuous challenge broke his nose, and had to be subsistuted for Gavin Brown. Then to make things worse for the Tigers, a lapse in concentration saw the Bradley striker who'd previously hit the bar from a yard, see Chris Bennett off his line and he delicately lifted it over him into the left hand side of the goal. 2-0 to AFC Bradley.
This knocked the wind out of the Tigers sails, and this was clearly visible as heads went down instinctively throughout the side. Giovannetti changed the side and went to a 3-5-2 to go for broke. Craig Froggatt and Nick Billington came on for Aaron Starbuck and Callum Fatchett.
Hykeham came close again when Chris Quinn fired a free kick from 35 yards which moved all over the place, and struck the bar. This finally took the wind out of the sails of the Tigers. Paul Sturton who was the arguably the best Tigers player till that point, tried to run the ball out of the back, and gave the ball straight to the Bradley striker who ran half of the pitch and slotted the ball past Chris Bennett, 3-0 Bradley and game over.
Hykeham in credit to them, didn't give up the fight and continued to press, creating several chances. However, going for goals, Hykeham were left exposed at the back and another mix up at the back let Bradley in, and the substitute striker scored his second goal of the game, neatly tucking the ball away after another 40 yard run. 4-0 Bradley and this was the end of the game.
Hykeham hadn't really deserved a 4-0 loss, and this flattered Bradley slightly. Some positives to take out of the game, and plenty of time to recover and focus on the league.
Player Ratings & Synopsis
Chris Bennett- 7/10
Steady game, still adamant he didn't foul Bradley's striker but was a clear penalty
Tom Dickinson- 7/10
Was one of the better performers for the Tigers before he broke his nose and had to be withdrawn early in the second half
Paul Sturton- 9/10 Joint MOTM
Adapted superbly to a new position in the last two games, and didn't look out of place. Shame he made the mistake for the 3rd goal, as he was faultless up till then
Sam Newton- 8/10
Another solid performance from the young centre back. Looks like he could build a solid partnership with Paul Sturton
Aaron Starbuck- 7/10
Steady performance from the right back, dealt with most things thrown at him well.
Ashley Murphy- 7/10
Good going forward and provided some good service into the strikers. Could have provided more support for his full back at times.
Christopher Quinn- 7/10
Hard working and industrious. Had a superb free kick strike the bar from 35 yards.
Ian Seivwright- 9/10 Joint MOTM
Superb display from the new signing, industrious and good on the ball. Lot of passion and showed alot of fight and guile.
Callum Fatchett- 7/10
Quiet morning from the usually lively Fatchett. Worked as hard as ever, but didn't have the easiest time against a very strong left back.
Daniel Daubney- 7/10
Worked hard, and tried to create chances however was just not just day. Off day, but sure they'll be plenty of good one's to follow.
Kris Nelson- 7/10
Again like most, worked extremely hard and seemed isolated at times. Should have equalised when through on goal early in second half.
SUB- James Pickering-
Not Used
SUB- Craig Froggatt- 7/10-
No time to make much difference
SUB- Gavin Brown- 7/10-
Steady and Competant
SUB- Nick Billington- 7/10-
Hard working, and played some nice passes
SUB- Tom Skelton-
Not Used
Dick Of The Day- Ash Murphy
Next Game- FVA Jerusalem Reserves- Wednesday Night (Away)
