Crusaders defeat the Casuals

For the third week in succession, a strong wind made conditions extremely difficult for both teams, but this was a typical cup-tie, played in a good spirit throughout, and we just had the edge to earn a place in the next round against a talented Casuals side, who had reached the first round of the F.A.Trophy for the first time in their history and did everything to make it a good day for the club.
We were set to face a strong wind from the kick-off but soon had the ball in the net following a free-kick from James Clark, but Gary Horgan was penalised, although he did not touch the ball, but was judged to have been in the goalkeeper’s vision as he burst into the goalmouth. It was difficult to get the ball forward in the face of the wind, and we had a set-back when Stefan Brown went down with a muscle injury and was replaced by Mark Draycott. Charno Mendy headed wide in a Casuals attack, but Paul Strudley saved confidently from a fierce cross-shot from defender Terry Murray. Goalkeeper Danny Bracken dropped the ball , but Clark was penalised for his challenge, although it seemed a harsh decision. With half-time approaching we scored what looked like a decisive goal in view of the conditions, when Nat Jarvis flicked the ball past Bracken following long throw, but with the 45 minutes already up, Sekou Kaba headed in from Josh Uzun’s free-kick to make it 1-1 at the interval, a blow so soon after our opening goal when we had coped so well with the wind
Despite the equaliser, with the wind in our favour after half-time. things looked promising, but the home side battled on well and managed to clear the ball off the line after we had hit the bar when a goal looked certain, but after 70 minutes, Draycott reacted quickly to knock the ball in after his first attempt had been blocked and Jarvis had a great chance to seal the win when he broke through with only Bracken to beat, but shot straight a the keeper.
With the 90 minutes up, the fourth official indicated 5 minutes of added time, but play went on for well over 7 minutes, before the final whistle brought the game to a close and we were in the next round and we await Monday’s draw with keen interest. It is due to be played on January 16, leading to the postponement of home game with Bideford due that day..
With Leamington’s Trophy game off and now scheduled for Tuesday, our league fixture with them is off, and we now have a blank week, perhaps a blessing in disguise in view of our injuries, but it was a great win, and credit is due to everyone for the effort they had put in to pull off this deserved victory.
Team;Strudley,Horgan, John, Boardman, Day,Rusby, Clark, Rees(Jones)Jarvis, Brown(Draycott) O’Brien(Preen).Subs;Goodger, Harrison.