The Peacocks’ recent fine form was arrested after they dipped to a disappointing 4-1 Evo-Stik League defeat at Metropolitan Police yesterday afternoon (29th September).
Town were on top in the opening quarter so it was something of a surprise when the Police took the lead on 17 minutes, Ethan Chislett seizing on a loose ball to fire past Lloyd Irish from the edge of the area. An overhead kick from Josh Nelmes smacked the crossbar as Town nearly hit straight back before the equaliser arrived after 32 minutes when Andrew Neal’s cross from the left wasn’t cleared and Ben Adelsbury reacted to poke the ball home. Neal then fired against the bar from close range while Jack Mazzone hit the post for the home side. John Gilbert was sent off for Police five minutes before half time but this didn’t stop them from regaining the lead on 42 minutes when Max Blackmore headed in Chislett’s corner.
Pressure from the Peacocks in the second half couldn’t conjure up a second equaliser and Police caught them with a sucker punch, Mazzone pouncing on the loose ball to make it 3-1 on 66 minutes after Irish had saved Blackmore’s shot. Town were caught out again three minutes later when Chislett fired in from Blackmore’s pass before Matt Wright also received his marching orders for a challenge on Blackmore after 71 minutes to make it ten-a-side. The match petered out, with the Peacocks struggling to create a real chance. Town now have a week to regroup as they know they will need a far better performance next Saturday to have any chance of progressing in the Emirates FA Cup.
Reaction | acting manager Rob Dray remarked:”We had enough territory, possession and chances yesterday to earn at least a point but unfortunately the game is not measured that way. To a degree it was a learning curve against established opposition away from home but our defending as a team was charitable to say the least. However we won’t get too low as we don’t get too high when we win, we will stay level headed, train Tuesday and prepare ourselves for another great FA Cup day on Saturday.”