Tanners Hit Self Destruct Button

Hodgsons FC crashed out of the Grays cup with what was quiet possibly the worst performance ever seen by a Tanners side since forming in 2004/2005.

The result was made to seem a whole lot worse as the home side were two goals to the good through a Karl Wallis header after just four minutes and superb Adam Foster strike courtesy of a Shaun Gibson assist.

It all seemed too easy at this early stage of the game with the joint league leaders, North Cave looking stunned. But how football changes and after 15 minutes of play the tables turned.

North Cave pulled their first goal back through striker Craig Cockin. Cockin finished calmly lobbing the ball into an empty net after a poor clearance was made.

Soon after it was 2-2, this time a defensive error saw Cave tap home from close range.

North Cave started to apply more pressure but couldn’t force another goal; meanwhile the Tanners at the other end just couldn’t break down a tight defensive back line. Both teams had to settle for 2-2 at half time.

The second half was even worse than the first for Hodgsons with simple mistakes being made. Players were dwelling on the ball too much and losing possession in key areas of the pitch.

North Cave were able to exploit this and as the mistakes mounted so did the goals with Cave scoring a further three very well taken goals.

With manager Lee Hastings refusing to speak, assistant Blenkinsop had this to say,

“The manager is not best happy with that display.”

“Not one player performed to his potential and we got what we deserved.”

“The one saving grace for us, it was a cup fixture and not a league fixture.”

“However, I’m confident the boys will bounce back on Saturday away to Inter Charter.”

Hodgsons FC will have a chance to make up for Saturday’s cup exit when they travel to East Mount Recreation Centre to face Inter Charter. Hastings will certainly be expecting a lot more from his players against bottom of the table Inter.

Pictures by Paul Linton: Click on the thumbnail picture below to enlarge the image to full size