Great entertaining cup tie as Haughley edge win to progress to the Semis!

Haughley came through with a narrow win in a very well spirited cup tie against a Ransomes side who play good football but lack quality in the final third but for sure will probably be a top half senior team this time next year!

Ransomes started the game very well with free flowing football and Haughley struggled to cope with the level of intensity and pace early on. Ransomes were shortly rewarded with this on 3 minutes when a silly free kick was conceded and the resulting free kick went to the back post and the striker nipped in front of a stranded Hawky to fire home a free header from 6 yards for 1-0.

Haughley came back into the game having some possession of their own and on 13 minutes the game was level when the ransomes centre back tried to come out with the ball into midfield and got intercepted from a good tackle from Andrews. He then played a great through ball to Reece who was in on goal but his shot was well saved but the resulting ball trickling towards goal was bundled in by Jamie for 1-1.

Moments later Will went on a mazy run from midfield and powered through the heart of the Ransomes team and shot for the keeper to pull off a very good save and pushed the ball put out for a corner.

On 30 minutes, Ransomes had a glorious chance to make it 2-1 when a poor header from Hawky at the back post gifted a chance for the striker to tap in from 6 yards out but shot wide! Moments later and the other Ransomes striker was through on goal and brought down in the box which to even some of Haughley spectators was a cast iron penalty but the ref waved it away.

Right on half time Ransomes paid for their missed opportunities as Haughley made it 2-1 in added on time when a good footballing move down the right from Andrews, treds and Jamie forced a free kick just inside the Ransomes half. Will crossed in and Jamie got up well to challenge the keeper and caused a nuisance where the ball trickled out to Upson 12 yards out who smashed the ball goalwards and it ended up in the side netting after taking a slight deflection.

On the balance of play Haughley were very lucky to be leading and Ransomes would have been kicking themselves not going in at half time leading after being the better side winning 1st and 2nd balls to almost everything!

Second half and Haughley upped their game significantly. On 55 minutes some good work from Upson and his cross was covered well by the keeper for a corner. 10 minutes later and some nice interchange from the midfield and Reece gets the ball and puts in Henry which again is saved well by the keeper.

Moments later and a great turn and spin from Jamie was superbly tipped over the bar for a corner by the Ransomes keeper.

Haughley were looking comfortable at the back at this stage and began to win the midfield battle and had some good Haughley chances. On 72 minutes, a great move involving Jamie and Reece where his shot was defended well and deflected for a corner. The biggest chance of the half came from some good work down the right from Henry and Will and Will put in a delightful cross to Jamie 8 yards out who beat his man to header narrowly wide.

3 minutes later and reece hits the bar from a powerful shot and the rebound from Andrews was tamely headed into the keepers hands. Haughley then managed as a team to defend well and see out the game for a well deserved victory based on their spirited dominant second half performance.

Ransomes flattered to deceive second half where they continued to play football but in positions where it didn’t hurt Haughley and failed to register a half chance or shot. Some dangerous crosses did come into the box but were very well marshalled by Daley.

Player of the Match: Tom West

Haughley have been drawn at Home to Henley in the Semi -Final on March 14th. Haughley next week are back in league action away to Bourne vale at Bourne vale social club on Halifax Road.