A look back at the Emirates FA Cup clash with Fleetwood Town
By Matty Paddock - 05/11/2023
Posted 2 years ago
HARRIERS exited the Emirates FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat to League 1 Fleetwood at Aggborough.
Looking to summon the spirit of 2022’s FA Cup run, Harriers started with good urgency in the First Round, Amari Morgan-Smith going for glory with eight minutes gone but firing well wide with an attempted chip of Jay Lynch.
At the other end, Fleetwood went close through their Captain Vela as he rose at the far post to meet a cross, heading it back where it came from and only just missing the target.
A tightly-contested first half looked to have been won by the Reds when they took the lead. Zak Brown picked out Ryan McLean superbly, the AFC Wimbledon loanee picking out the onrushing Bailey Hobson in the centre who calmly slotted the ball home to score for the third time this season.
Fleetwood ensured there would be no half time boost in that regard, levelling pretty much immediately as Josh Earl headed in an effort, with Jack Marriott possibly getting a toe to it as it found the net.
Even more damagingly was the Fleetwood second that came just seconds after the restart; Earl standing the ball up after good work by Patterson, Shaun Rooney crashing in to plant a header past Dibble and into the net.
Harriers were then never really able to gain any momentum or a even a spell of sustained pressure in the game. Fleetwood could have added to their score before the hour, but Marriott struck an angled effort wide and Henegan saw his header well saved by Christian Dibble.
With 18 left to play, a ball threaded through the middle set Marriott away but Dibble was on hand to deny him again, standing up to the shot and getting a strong paw to it.
The final minutes were relatively uneventful, though Dibble had another save to make with 85 on the clock when a swerving Marriott effort needed parrying away.
Get full team line-ups and key match facts at The Match Centre.
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