Heroic Swallows bow out in Cup thriller

Your roving reporter has been busy racing around like a mad man and so apologises for the delay in bringing you this match report. When I say racing about - I don't just mean Christmas shopping - I mean chasing back home on Sunday after we'd got to the game in plenty of time to fetch the goalkeeper shirt his donut son had left behind... I've calmed down now though...

Swallows were virtually at full strength for this quarter final tie against Brinsworth, a team with an excellent reputation and playing in the division above. The pitch was quite exposed to the elements, and a gale was blowing in the first half straight at Ryan Marshs goal area.

Before Swallows had time to settle into their game, Brinsworth made their intentions clear with an early goal despite a suspicion of offside, in the first 2 minutes. 1-0 to Brinsworth.

The next 20 minutes saw some great work from Boot, Grayson and Hewitt, with Ben Morris and Jamie Butler combining well in defence.

A Kiddy cross from the right was met with a Short flick-on but Nathan Hewitt couldn't convert the chance to equalise.

On 22 mins Brinsworth picked up their 2nd after a mix up in defence, Marsh diving at the feet of the on-rushing striker but unable to prevent the goal.

Another race through the middle by 2 Brinsworth forwards both yards offside was missed by the ref and Marsh saved brilliantly.

Reece Taylor the scored an absolute peach of a goal to reduce the deficit, a brilliant strike from 25 yards. 2-1

Before Swallows could take advantage Brinsworth went straight down and scored again. 3-1

Half Time Brinsworth 3-1 Swallows with everything to play for with strong wind in Swallownests favour

Substitute Sellars began to put in a great shift down the left, his first cross for Kiddy to knock into the 6 yd box saw Taylor flick just wide.

Swallows were applying all the pressure, and yet it was Brinsworth who put the game beyond reach with another goal that had suspicions of offside. 4-1

With Swallows heads going down, 2 goal line clearances were made before Brinsworth made it 5-1 and the game looked well beyond Swallows.

And then someone flicked a switch. Swallows began to play their game, they settled down and played the kind of football we've been witnessing all season. Sellars raced down the left and forced a teriffic save from the keeper who tipped over the bar.

Luke Chatterley pulled 1 back with a conversion from Bradley Kiddy's low cross - 5-2

Sellars picked up another goal with a brilliant low strike into the bottom corner after a great cross from Kiddy, 5-3.

The Swallows support started to believe a comeback was on the cards - and the players appeared to begin to believe that too.

Sellars made a strong run from his own half and passed to Kiddy, who saw his shot saved.

Boot then picked up a 4th for Swallows with a very well worked goal and a delightful pass into the bottom left hand corner.

And yet it wasn't to be.  Several more opportunities were squandered, and Swallows saw their cup hopes end in Brinsworth on Sunday morning.  It was however a teriffic game to watch and no doubt play in.

Full time Brinsworth 5-4 Swallows

Man of Match - Luke Chatterley - put in a teriffic shift, lots of unselfish passes and a great goal that put Swallows back on the road to revival. Well done Luke.