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Reserves out of cup after great start

- 22/02/2010

City Reserves 1 Staplehurst & Monarchs Reserves 2

City Reserves came into this cup fixture at Bridge with a quarter final in sight but first had to get past mid-table side Staplehurst and Monarchs.

City got off to a great start and within ten minutes won a penalty. Dan Woodward, making his first start since October, showed great vision by spotting Dave Silman's run down the right hand channel. Silman took control of the ball before accelerating past his marker and being brought down inside the area, winning his third penalty for City this season. Hamilton Bowler took responsibility by placing the ball on the spot but saw his penalty kick saved by the Staplehurst keeper.

Silman, who was struggling with a knee injury after falling awkwardly for the penalty award, then played in Luke Read to shoot wide and then Scott Lawford to test the keeper from eighteen yards. City were on the front foot and fully deserved to take the lead when they did on the half hour mark. A Chris Wicks corner kick wasn't properly cleared and the resulting cross was headed in by Lawford, who rose highest amongst a number of Staplehurst defenders.

City then took their foot off the pedal and were caught out on the stroke of half-time when a long ball forward from half way found the run of a Staplehurst attacker to level the score with a powerful drive past Matt Hewitt.

City still had time to regain the lead before half-time but Dan Woodward's measured cross was headed over by Silman at the near post. Although City had wasted a number of chances in the first forty-five they were still positive that they would advance to the quarter finals if they continued to dominate play.

Read had a rasping eighteen yard strike tipped on to the cross bar by the Staplehurst keeper but that effort aside City failed to create as many clear-cut chances in the second half as they did in the first.

Staplehurst grew in confidence and were boosted by the seventieth minute dismissal of Daniel Beekharry. City's energetic midfielder was the victim of a late challenge which went ignored and after letting the referee know exactly what he thought was issued with a straight red card.

With extra time on the cards, Staplehurst stole a ninetieth minute winner after some slack City defending. A long throw into the box somehow found its way through to an unmarked man at the back post, who had the simple task of tapping in from six yards.

City exit the Kent County League Reserve Division Cup and are now left with the task of closing the gap on Otford and Bearsted who are placed above them in the Division in second and first respectively.

CITY: Hewitt; Wicks, Grant (Halliday), Bowler, O'Riley, Woodward (L. Read), Tuite, Beekharry, L. Read, Lawford, D. Silman.