FC Samba Online

After a two week break due to postponements Samba entertained Netherfield Albion at Burton Road in the 3rd Round of the Notts Intermediate FA Cup. Albion had won the Notts Amateur Alliance last season and now plied their trade in the Senior League Division One.

McDonald opted to include both Jones and Gibbons in his starting XI, the latter of which passed a late fitness test on calf and groin injuries, with C.Taylor the unlucky man to miss out. There was also a spot on the subs bench for Dollochin for the first time this season, following good form for the reserves.

The pitch was looking a little worse for wear before the game after the recent heavy rain but Samba were able to engage their passing game and got into their stride early doors. Samba had the first real chance of the match and it was a great opportunity to take the lead. Netherfield were carved open with encouraging ease from a Samba perspective, and Gibbons found Misiuda in acres 15yds out with the goalie to beat. As the keeper emerged Misiuda opted to square the ball and the defender got a in a tackle in the nick of time.

G.Taylor then had two half chances that were remarkably similar, receiving the ball in the inside left channel in plentiful space on both occasions. He opted to shoot both times with little success, when perhaps on reflection he would have taken the ball closer to goal. Long-range shooting became a bit of theme for the first half from Samba, as they just lacked a little composure to create that golden chance. Samba were generally good in possession save a few occasions where they gave Netherfield an opportunity to attack. An Albion wide player was allowed to run from their left side unchallenged and when he got within 25yds of the goal he took the opportunity to shoot. It was a crisp shot that swerved away from Nicholls but hit the post square on, and bounced out to the centre forward. He was slow to react, allowing Bassett to make a challenge from behind, but the ball fell for on-coming midfielder who slammed home from 15yds.

Samba had managed to contain Albion for large periods but shortly after the goal could have been 2-0 down when a cross from the Samba left found the striker unmarked but his header was directed weakly wide.

Half Time: FC Samba 0 v 1 Netherfield Albion

McDonald made a change at half-time deciding not to risk Gibbons any further and replaced him with C.Taylor. The substitution in itself could have been seen as a gamble as Gibbons had looked most likely of the Samba players in the first half.

Samba started the second half with renewed spirit and showed a determination to get back into the game. With Albion going down the slope they became a greater threat but generally were marshalled well by the Samba back three.

Samba pressured territorially but just when you started to believe that they would not find a equaliser, the turning point of the match occurred. G.Taylor pressurised the Albion right back and eventually retrieved the ball and crossed back into the box. Albion were appealing for a foul by G.Taylor but instead C.Taylor was pushed in the penalty box and the referee awarded a spot kick. G.Taylor converted to level the game at 1-1 and it was now anyone’s game.

Samba so nearly stole a winner when the ball dropped kindly for C.Taylor in the box and he prodded it towards goal. The keeper was beaten but the defender got back and smashed the ball away against the underside of the bar. There was a decent claim to say that the ball had gone over the line but the referee couldn’t give it from his position.

At the other end, Nicholls who had been relatively untroubled for most of the match was called upon to make an excellent save, flying through the air and tipping the ball over from a dipping shot. At the end of 90 minutes the game was level and extra time beckoned.

EXTRA TIME
Samba had a good case for being the better side over the 90 minutes and the same could be said for opening period of extra time. With Misiuda and Rose working tirelessly at wing back, Samba continued to press the Albion goal. Wilford was replaced with Dollochin, who made an instant impact on the game. His fresh legs told when galloping down the right to create space for a cross to the centre of the six yd box. Jones was Johnny on the spot to meet the ball and head into the net to give Samba the lead for the first time in the match.

As the game entered into the second period of extra time, Samba extended their lead when G.Taylor was found on the left side of the box in too much space. The keeper tried to block the striker but he took the ball round the goalie and slotted home for what appeared an unassailable lead. However, in true Samba style they made life difficult for themselves, losing a sloppy goal from a corner, despite Hawkins best efforts on the line.

The final minutes saw Samba defend several corners better than the goal they had just conceded but they still survived a strong penalty claim when Jones appeared to kick through the Albion man. Within 30 seconds the referee waved away a Samba penalty as well, as Brewer had his knee hacked in what was virtually the last action of a great cup tie. After the full time whistle blew, an Albion player took his protestations too far, and was shown a 2nd yellow card. Samba meanwhile celebrated passage into the quarter finals and their third higher league scalp of this cup run.