Aberystwyth Town Cup: We Hate Ben 3-4 FC Phoenix

We Hate Ben just lost out in an even contest to FC Phoenix to exit this years Aberystwyth Town Cup. This seven-goal thriller saw the team work hard to level after slipping behind but couldn't find a second equaliser after going two-goals down in the second half.

We Hate Ben started the game in a 4-5-1 formation and handed starting debuts to Ryan Muir in the lone striker role and Chris Charnley on the left wing. Andrew Rhodes made his full debut as part of the three-man central midfield. From the begining of the match WHB looked dangerous, and some neat play from Ian Hanmore-Farrugia and Muir fed in Rhys Jones who slotted home to take a 1-0 lead, and his second of the season. Phoenix equalised after a scranble in the box, where the ball fell to the Phoenix player on the edge of the box and he fired through a crowd of players to sneak over the line. Phoenix took the lead almost immediately after equalising. The WHB defence switched off from a ball over the top, returning goalkeeper Stuart Fleming rushed out to collect but the attacker just too quick for him who was able to cross for an easy header into an unguarded net. WHB equalised just before half-time, when a free-kick on the left was whipped in by the excellent Hanmore-Farrugia. Phoenix's goalkeeper fumbled the cross and Matt L'argent was on hand to scramble the ball over the line to keep the teams level at the break.

The second-half began in a similar vein and with only five minutes on the clock a Phoenix corner was not properly dealt with. The resulting ball took a fortunate deflection off the back of a Phoenix player and it somehow found its way into the goal for Phoenix to take the lead. WHB made changes with the last games hat-trick hero Jay Walker coming on to partner Muir in attack but the team was punished when with fifteen minutes to go and pushing for an equaliser, WHB were caught on the break and Fleming was powerless to prevent a fourth Phoenix goal. Dan Johnson, Louis Robertson and Adam Grosvenor came off the bench and WHB switched to 3-4-3. WHB made it a tight finish when the impressive Jack Kelly was bought down in the box after a good run. Kelly dusted himself off and stood up to take the penalty, coolly slotting home to set up an exciting finale. WHB continued to probe for an equaliser and despite two late opportunities for Walker and Johnson the game ended in defeat at this stage of the Aberystwyth Town Cup for the second successive season.


Manager Matt L'argent made these comments post-match: "I was pleased that what I said at half time was taken on board, and if we put in that level of effort against most teams we'll come away with a win. I was particularly impressed with Ian [Hanmore-Farrugia], he put in a Man Of The Match performance and Jack [Kelly] deserves a mention too as he wasn't far behind, while I couldn't fault the effort of the whole team to be honest. I am a little disappointed to be out of the Cup but I would think that we go into the Consolation Shield among the favorites."

Team (4-5-1, 4-4-2, 3-4-3)

Fleming - Dodsworth, Webster (C), L'argent, Kelly - R. Jones, Rhodes, Amos, Hanmore-Farrugia, Charnley - Muir.

Substitutes: Johnson, Walker, Robertson, Grosvenor (used). Edgerley (unused).

Goals: R. Jones, L'argent, Kelly (pen)

Man of the match: Hanmore-Farrugia