Exchange had surprised Athletic in the cup earlier in the season when a much improved Exchange squad took the field that day. The new faces on that occasion doing the damage and so Athletic knew that this was no "walk in the park".
A change of venue, due to Bohunt's over eagerness which saw them take the goalposts down over Easter, led to the match being played at Lindford Sports ground.
It was not only the venue that changed, the team shifted slightly with Martin S taking the gloves in goal and Matt replacing the absent Sam in the central striking role.
It seemed as though it would be an open game as Athletic poured forward and only an superbly timed tackle prevented Matt from striking at goal, the subsequent corner was cleared. The ground was hard and with the ball bouncing high, Athletic were finding it slightly the harder to get the ball down and play. But they were in the mix and fighting hard.
A poor clearing header by the Exchange centre back saw another Matt I's twenty-five yard strike on goal easily saved.
Athletic deservedly took the lead as neat ball through saw Gilly expertly lob the Exchange Keeper, the ball making that fantastic "ripping" noise as it slid down the inside of the roof of the net. Athletic had something to hold on to and were good value for the lead. They pressed forward and were unlucky not to add to their advantage.
A major turning point of the match then took place as Martin S expertly raced from his goal to clear only to be caught exceptionally late by the Exchange winger... the referee played on and Martin went down. Clearly shaken he made his way slowly back to his goal but within minutes Exchange were level as a long range shot deflected in.
It was a body blow for Athletic who were probably the better side up until that point.
Athletic re-started and pressed forward, a good ball through saw Marc's lobbed effort drift wide. Carlos' goal bound strike deflected off of his own man to safety.
But Exchange were coming back into the game with Athletic standing firm, repelling their attacks and countering themselves. It was turning into a ding dong battle, but it was Exchange who took the advantage. Allowed to run with the ball and not closed down, the Exchange left back struck a ferocious shot that flew past Martin despite an excellent effort.
The changed line-up threw Athletic for a bit and they struggled to hold the ball up and it was in that period that Exchange added a third, as a shot evade Matt's outstretched hands and found the back of the net via the underside of the bar.
3-1 at half time, and the heat and surface were really starting to stifle Athletic. Scott was replaced at half time by Ryan, and Athletic pushed forwards to try to get back into the game. The second half was far more controlled than the first with chances for both teams at a premium, no longer end to end it became a war of attrition in midfield.
Exchange added a fourth from a thrown in, far too simply for Athletic's liking, as the somersaulted delivery stunned the Yellow's defence. Two headers later and the ball was being picked out of the back of the net. Outrageous.
Finally, Exchange exerted some control over the game as Athletic's legs tired. It was from a free kick on the left hand edge of the Athletic box that Exchange added to their tally, a lack of chat led to the Exchange forward being left unmarked at the back post with the simple task of heading into the corner. It left Matt with no chance.
The rest of the game fizzled out until Matt twisted his knee awkwardly right on the ninety minute mark, the week will see what his chances are for the final, with the keeper currently rating himself about 50/50.
Man of the Match was almost impossible to call as Athletic really did struggle to impose themselves on the game, but for his reading of the game the award goes to Rich P.
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