Dan Shafron expressed disappointed as NLR's pursuit of glory in the Sunday Challenge Cup ended at the second hurdle as they lost a seven-goal thriller against FC Bickley.
November 29, 2016 14:56
ByAnonymous, Anonymous
LONDON FA SUNDAY CHALLENGE CUP ROUND TWO
NORTH LONDON RAIDERS A 3 FC BICKLEY 1st 4
Dan Shafron expressed disappointed as NLR's pursuit of glory in the Sunday Challenge Cup ended at the second hurdle as they lost a seven-goal thriller against FC Bickley.
The scene was set as current MGBSFL double league winners North London Raiders faced FC Bickley, the double league winners of the Orpington & Bromley District League. Bickley went in to the game in excellent form being unbeaten since the opening game of the 2015/2016 season. A team of what NLR boss Dan Shafron described as "6ft gym monsters" saw the visitors set out their game-plan from the very first minute - long ball, route one football up to their big physical forwards.
Although Raiders started the brighter of the two teams, Bickley took the lead with a long punt in to the box finding their forward who slotted home.
Raiders got back in to the game soon after and made it 1-1 with a good finish from Nyv Bogaire after clever link play between him and Liron Mannie.
Bogaire returned the favour after 25 minutes and set up Mannie who beat the Bickley goalkeeper from close range.
Raiders were on top and could have scored several more but just couldn’t find the back of the net. Bickley couldn’t deal with the fast football played by Raiders – football that they’re probably not used to in their league - and it was the clever thinking and quick feet of Dave Cohen which resulted in the third goal on the stroke of half time when he got brought down in the box and Ben Ellis slotted home from the spot.
The second half began with Bickley in the ascendancy, they continued playing the long ball feeling that eventually they would get the better of the Raiders back-line. At the other end, Raiders couldn’t find their first half form.
Bickley grabbed their second goal on 55 minutes with a well-taken volley and clearly felt they could get themselves back in to the game. They continued to use their route one tactics and brutal strength up front to try and get behind the Raiders defence and it was after 70 minutes that they equalised in exactly that manner.
Raiders managed to find some control but couldn’t create any clear goal-scoring opportunities. With penalties looming, the unlikely comeback became a reality in the 89th minute when a carbon copy of Bickley’s equaliser was scored to put them 4-3 up with minutes remaining.
Raiders came close to an equaliser with the very last kick of the game but could only find the side-netting. The full time whistle blew with Bickley celebrating jubilantly.
Raiders manager Dan Shafron told JC Sport: "I am very disappointed and baffled with this result.
"The first half was an incredible performance from us. We were up against a side who felt they could physically bully us but they had no idea how to deal with us playing the football we played and the pace in which we went at them.
"Aside from the goal we conceded early on, it was a remarkable first half and we should have put the game to bed.
"The second half though was just horrendous. We were like a different team. They didn’t change their tactics, we just allowed them to get back in the game in an inexcusable manner. We stopped working and it almost felt as if some boys felt the game was won after 45 minutes.
"The boys are disappointed as we all fancied a cup run in this competition and should have been in the next round but it’s a result and second half performance to be angry about but not dwell on.
"We've still got plenty to play for and I’ll be expecting a big response next week."