EXPRESS 88 FC 1,

BLACKPOLE 3

EXPRESS entertained Blackpole on a wet and muddy Victoria park and despite a slow start dominated the opening exchanges without finding their touch in front of goal, Jamie Roberts going close on several occasions.

It was Express who let themselves down with some sloppy defending and lack of bite in midfield that allowed the visitors into the game.

Stu Summers and Duncan Mckerracher were in competition at the back to see who could give the ball away most, McKerracher winning on the half hour mark when he ignored the call of stand in keeper Phil Smalley, who was about to collect the ball, and sliced a hopeless clearance to the opposition who lobbed the stranded keeper to take the lead.

Straight from the restart Mark Taylor almost replied with a thundering effort denied by the post and Summers later redeemed himself with a goal line clearance after a superb save by Smalley was fired back in.

Express came out fired up for the second half but must have realised it wasn't to be their day as they were denied several times by the visitors' keeper and found themselves 2-0 down from a powerfully headed goal from a corner on the hour.

Ten minutes later they were three down when they were again caught ball watching. Some superb saves by Smalley then kept the damage to three.

With 20 minutes left Express were awarded a penalty for a foul on the tirelessly working Matt Clifford which Jamie Roberts squeezed home in bizarre fashion. The Blackpole keeper saved his weak effort but managed to then elbow the ball over the line when trying to pick it up.

All in all a performance the Express will want to forget before taking on Evesham League outfit Moreton Town at home this Sunday in the second round of the Worcester Royal Infirmary Minor Cup, players meet 9.40am Express.

Thanks to PH Autos for the match ball sponsorship, TWS Windows for the new kit and Donna, Tracey and staff for the after match food at the Express.