Report

The Motley Report

Fresh from their mission to Heathrow the Accies were back on the road, though this time only to Hoddesdon, in the Divisional Cup.

After changing in the open air the Accies were completely aclimatised to the fresh autumn air, though not as well as the home side who started much the better.

In the early exchanges Motts was forced to parry three shots whilst the oppo keeper remained virtually redundant.

As is always the way the Accies therefore took the lead when Dan Smith curled a free kick over the wall and in via the keepers fingertips and the post, 1-0.

As the Accies continued to get a foothold in the game the home side looked to make the most of the autumn sun and pumped one long ball after another towards the Accies penalty area which, whilst causing defenders and attackers problems, proved only catching practise for Motts.

Midway through the half the Accies doubled their lead when a cleared corner fell to Mitch fully 195 yards from goal (or was it 200 Mitch?). His bullet(?) shot flashed thru the crowded penalty area and into the bottom corner, 2-0.

As the half closed out the Accies went in 2-0 to the good. The jovial half time talk was again of more goals and whether Mitch's shot was indeed a cross (cross wins it!) ...WHEN WILL WE LEARN!!!

Again the Accies seemed to put on their lead boots in the second half and AS Hoddesdon started to take a hold.

The Accies goal was leading a charmed life but eventually the pressure told. After a shocking Motts goalkick the ball broke to the oppo right winger and as Motts raced out to make amends he was lobbed to narrow the lead to 2-1.

It was somewhat fortunate then that the home side's young striker decided, soon after, that a big hack on an Accies player was required and as he'd been booked in the first half he was to have a very early bath(had there been one!).

AS Hoddesdon continued to press but this left them exposed at the back. Three times Gav went thru on their keeper, once the keeper smothered and twice Gav was unceremoniously reunited with the sniper (where have you been old friend). However it seems time has affected Gav's memory....Gav, remember...No scream = no penalty!!!

With the half ebbing away the evevitable happened as a low shot was parried by Motts and an oppo striker buried the rebound, 2-2...EXTRA TIME!!

The Accies this time started much the better and midway thru the first half of extra time Paul was on hand to convert a close range header as the Accies re-took the lead, 3-2. The home side were fading and at the turn-around the Accies still lead, 3-2.

The home side pushed for their second equaliser and only Motts fingertips and the post kept the scores level.

It was left to Scott to put the game to bed. After some 'Graham Poll' style refereeing ''Is that wall in your way, I'll put it over here for you!!'' Dan Smith fed the youngster in the box and after approximately 10 minutres of twisting and turning he lashed the ball in to the back of the net, 4-2.

The rest of the game ebbed away and the Accies won thru to the next round....PHEW!!