Doubles from Cakebread and Gibbins saw the Cooks come from behind to sink Wittering Premiair at Moulton College.
Saturday 21st January 2023
NORTHANTS F.A LES UNDERWOOD JUNIOR CUP – 3RD ROUND
COGENHOE UNITED RESERVES (2) 4 WITTERING PREMIAIR (1) 1
Cooks; Cakebread (2), Gibbins (2)
Wittering; Bloodworth
Once upon a time, Cogenhoe United Reserves played a game of football – Saturday 3rd December, 2022 to be precise, an outstanding 6-1 home win against Kempston Rovers Reserves!
7 weeks later and at the third attempt of trying, we finally managed to get the Junior Cup Last 16 game in, at ‘home’ to Wittering Premiair of the Peterborough & District League, courtesy of the Moulton College 3G pitch we hired due to more freezing temperatures.
We talked about starting quickly, as a close finish to the game could cost us due to the lack of fitness with not playing for so long and to be fair, that’s exactly what the lads delivered – camped in our opponents half for the first 10 mins with 3 goal line clearances it only seemed a matter of time before the deadlock was broken, however, it was the visitors who scored first on 10 mins with a counter. A good diagonal ball from deep left to the inside right channel saw Wittering’s forward calmly slot the ball past the onrushing Wells: 0-1.
An instant reaction was needed and it got one – 20 mins gone and a delightful through ball from the impressive debutant, Charlie Ferguson, found Glenn Cakebread through on goal, with the latter coolly rounding the keeper to slot home into an empty net: 1-1.
On the half hour mark, a good passage of play down the right saw the ball recycled to Captain Felgate, who whipped in a wonderful deep-right cross and there was Connor Gibbins gambling at the back post to side foot home: 2-1.
5 mins later, the evergreen Cakebread was at it again. Holding up the ball well against the aggressive defending from the visitors, he earned his own free kick to take. 20 yards out right of centre, he gambled on the wall breaking and delivered it through the gap into the bottom corner with style: 3-1.
It wasn’t complete plain sailing after the first goal, the visitors having two very good chances as well – a cushioned volley sent over the bar and a free header straight at Wells, but we did control the game, albeit with some rusty defending at times.
HT: Cogenhoe Res 3-1 Wittering Premiair
Rusty defending in patches and better reaction times needed was the halftime team talk, but that was always going to be the case after such a long layoff, however, the next 45 the lads put that to rest and put in a controlled performance which dominating possession at times, but also allowed the visitors to play in the right areas too, highlighted by the fact Wells had a very quiet second 45.
On 52 mins Gibbins wasn’t to be outshone by Cakebread in front of goal and netted himself a brace after latching onto another fine through ball by, wait for it…. Sam Harris, yes that’s right!! A fine ball and another calm finish saw us extend the lead further: 4-1.
As previously said, a controlled last half hour to the game in which saw some long spells of keep ball – great to see and highlights how far we’ve come in such a short period, we looked experienced and comfortable to see out a game in a professional way.
FT: Cogenhoe Res 4-1 Wittering Premiair
Couldn’t have asked for more really considering the layoff and a number of debuts given – after the rustiness was ironed out, it was like we’d not been away.
It’s always great to have a good cup run, but to make it to the QF of this difficult competition with the amount of player turnover we’ve had this season is extra special – next up: Kettering Nomads away on Sat 11th Feb, it’s as tough a draw as it gets knowing them from old!
Cooks; 1. Ciaran Wells 2.Dylan Carlin 3. Dan Talbot 4. Sam Harris 5. Josh Going (sub 12. Joe Pratt-McDonald 60) 6. Lee Felgate © 7. Dan Webb 8. Charlie Ferguson 9. Connor Gibbins 10. Glenn Cakebead (sub 70 (11. Sam Giddens (sub Lorenco Soulollari 60). Sub not used; 17. Mirzan Noka.
Wittering; 1. Nick Merrywaether 13. Liam Hatfield 3. Ben Roberts 4. Tom Smirl 5. Joe De Lucis 6. Sam Milligan 7. Grant Tippett 8. Jude Bloodworth 9. Sam Greenhaugh 10. Spencer Haskins 22. Harry Whittingham. Subs; 14. Ryan Alban 15. Sam Cayley 16. Liam Jones 17. Luke Smirl 19. Will Harriss.
Referee; Wayne Chalmers.
Photo gallery supplied by Finbarr Carroll.
