Report

The first round of the WA Harris Cup saw the Chaps pitted against tough opposition in the form of Bartley Green Illey, boasting some big name players, one of whom hit the winner in the FA Cup first qualifying round for Halesowen Town FC only the night before. Chaps moved to a 4-4-2 formation for the first time this season, with captain Moore slotting in at centre back alongside the returning Farr and Tomolinson, Slater pushing forward into the Makelele role in midfield. Feasey comes in for the absent Whalley, and Gould, looking to get off the mark, replaced Dowsett. A welcome return to the bench for Dutton after recovering from a modelling pose injury, with Penny unusually out injured.

Ahead of the game predictions were one-sided, though it was clear after 5 minutes that much fancied Bartley Green were being matched by Chaps. A cautious but careful start saw a slow first half, until Bartley Green took the lead with a poor goal from Chaps point of view - a cross wasn’t cleared effectively and the returning ball was allowed to reach their striker, stood not 1 yard from goal and climbed highest to head a bouncing ball over the onlooking defenders and goalkeeper, 1-0.

However Chaps kept their cool and kept playing football, a very mature response from a team looking extremely comfortable in their new formation. Moore was controlled and effective in his new role at centre back, with Farr sweeping up any and all that went before him. Chaps got their equaliser when Cromwell took care of a tricky situation at right back, calmly playing the ball out to Jones and switching on the counter attack. Jones found Feasey in the middle who played a cross-field ball to Gould Slater pounced on the loose ball after a fumble in the middle, and, spotting the early run of Gould, drifted a lovely ball over the top for him to run onto. Gould then beat his man and raced towards goal, finishing with aplomb into the far corner. An excellent piece of skill from Gould for his first of the season, again started from the defence…

Half time came and no changes were made, the Chaps looking settled and assured going into the second half. However, Bartley Green came out of the blocks running and after 5 minutes of intense pressure were somewhat lucky to score from 40 yards with a deflected strike that looped over Thornton in goal, 2-1. Despite this, Slater was growing into his new role and started to dictate play with fast, simple interchanges, linking the midfield and defence effectively.

A couple of goal line clearances from the athletic Jones and a combination of Farr and Tomolinson signalled a turn in fortune for the Chaps, who equalised with an incredible strike, coming from a player showing his quality game after game. A foul just inside the Bartley Green half offered an opportunity for Chaps to deliver a ball into the box, but Cromwell had other ideas. His resourcefulness and intelligence during the first half had enlightened him to a potential weak link in the Bartley Green side, their keeper. He fired a pacy, decisive ball directly into the back of the Bartley Green net from over 50 yards out, not even the onrushing Gould could sneak in to help it on its way… a fantastic equaliser again showing the importance of defensive minded players in the team.

Stunned by this, Bartley Green regrouped and again took the lead. Chaps Utd were part of a real cup tie, equalising yet again courtesy of a superb inswinging corner from the right by Tindall, finished close range by Gould for his second of the game, 3-3! Chaps were playing well, Horrocks was holding the ball up well and was extremely unlucky to hit the corner stanchion of the goal with an expert half volley. It wasn’t long before Gould got his hat-trick with a deft strike from 18 yards into the bottom corner, another assist from Feasey (ever the bridesmaid, never the bride). Chaps lead 4-3 for the second week in a row, only 15 minutes left to hold on to what would be a fantastic victory against a top team…

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be for the Chaps who were to lose out 5-4 to quality opposition and drop out of another cup. Bartley Green exerted serious pressure, Thornton making a superb save when faced with a 2 on 1 situation palming the ball over from a close range header. Bartley kept pushing, and capitalised when a right wing cross caught Chaps out, leaving two attackers unmarked at the far post. Thornton rushing out was unable to reach the ball, and it was headed into the empty net from a tricky angle despite the best efforts of Farr racing to get back.

Bartley Green then took the lead a couple of minutes later when a low left wing cross fooled the defence and keeper to sneak in at the near post. Not even a cameo from Dutton could change the outcome of the game and Chaps exit the WA Harris Cup, but do so with their heads held sky high after a fantastic performance.

From my position running the line, it was clear that today Chaps played their best game of football so far, each and every player working for one another and playing intelligently. Though Gould scored a hat-trick (an excellent one at that), Chap of the Match has to go to Cromwell, starting one goal, scoring a belter and building on his performances week after week. He has made the right back position his own and it will be hard for any player to take that from him over the coming months.