Rueful boss Dave Panton admitted that basic errors cost his Moulton Harrox side dear on Saturday as they lost an epic PFA Senior Cup quarter-final against Whittlesey Athletic.
Despite leading their ChromaSport PDL Premier Division title rivals 3-1 at half time and 4-3 with a few minutes to play on Saturday, they ended up drawing 4-4 before losing 5-3 on penalties.
The gutting defeat means that Moulton’s dreams of a PDFL treble are now over, but they can console themselves with the possibility of a Premier Division and President Premier Shield double.
Harrox chief Panton offered his congratulations to Whittlesey, but couldn’t hide his frustration at the nature of the defeat.
“For the neutral it was a cracking cup tie,” said the Moulton manager. “But I’m gutted – we came to a strong place like Whittlesey, scored four and still lost the game.
“I must admit I don’t blame the penalty miss because we should have had the game won in normal time.
“In the second half our defending let us down.
“I appreciate the conditions were tough, but basic and individual errors cost us today – which upset me more.
“I think that, when the lads run through the game in their heads over the next few days, I’m sure they will know where we were disappointing.
“Congratulations to Whittlesey. As always, they are a hard team to beat but it’s always a good game against them, very competitive but always done in the correct spirit of things.
“I also thought the referee had a good game. It’s never easy reffing two strong teams, but I thought he was consistent throughout.
“We will now get back to concentrating on the league and prepare for our next cup adventure at the end of the month. We won’t be dwelling on this, but we will identify what went wrong to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Played amid tough conditions at Whittlesey’s Drybread Road base, Moulton made the best-possible start when defender Bobby Patterson nodded them ahead.
The speedy Ben Allen soon doubled their money with goal number two following a great run down the left.
Although the hosts pulled one back, a whipped free kick from skipper Billy King put Harrox 3-1 to the good at half time.
That lead was soon wiped out thanks to two Athletic goals in the first ten minutes of the second half, but Moulton looked set to progress when Allen’s second of the game put them 4-3 ahead with five minutes to play.
There was still time for Whittlesey to scramble a late leveller – and then win the shoot-out 5-3 in a dramatic finale.
Harrox must now pick themselves up for Saturday’s Premier Division trip to Deeping Reserves (2pm).
Harrox: Kenealy, Groves, Clay, Coddington, Patterson, Watkin, King, Allen (Steadman), Townsend, Maltby, Bradbury (Mantle).
Attendance: 50.
