Sometimes it is very difficult to write a match report and this is one of those times. This was a quarter-final game, which on paper, we should have won comfortably, and perhaps, that is why we didn’t. Put simply, Sunderland wanted this victory more than we did and their passion, commitment and desire to win eventually carried them through.

We had no excuses: we played the game on the Middlesbrough Academy’s pitch at Eston on a pleasant evening on a flat pitch with the elements having little effect on who played in which direction. We had plenty of time to warm up and get prepared; Sunderland virtually turned up and kicked off. And yet it was they, and not us, who were quickly into their stride. We barely had a kick first half and Sunderland deservedly took a 1 – 0 lead into the interval, with us, yet again, conceding from a corner!

Tim and Rog had strong words at half-time and we started much more positively and Matty Bayston equalised for us and the game was there for the taking. Sunderland simply hit long balls up field without too much thought or skill, and yet they seemed to always pose a threat. On the other hand, we did try and play the ball forward, but all too often failed to make our final pass or cross tell in the final third of the pitch.

It was therefore very cruel, when Sunderland scored with barely any of normal time left, again from a corner. We still had one more chance and Ste Farish went agonisingly close with almost the last kick of the game. But it wasn’t to be and Sunderland took their place in the semi-finals and we were left with our heads down wondering how we let this one slip away.

What Have We Learnt:

That we cannot take games for granted.
We must start to defend corners far more aggressively.
Whilst there is no substitute for skill, hard work and determination go a long way too.
We cannot play like this again this season, if we are to win the league.

Quote of the Week:
“Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is.” - Vince Lombardi