Consolation Shield: Bayer Diamonds 3-1 We Hate Ben

We Hate Ben failed to reach their first Cup final despite an strong second-half performance after going 3-0 down in the first-half. WHB now have the opportunity to focus on their league form and will be looking for a performance like this second forty-five minutes rather than the first.

Matt L'argent lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with the only major change being Ronnie D'sa stepping into right-back for Jason Dodsworth who was on the bench. In the first fifteen minutes We Hate Ben somehow managed to concede two goals and a penalty which was thankfully missed. The two goals were poor defensively, one being a misjudged high ball and the second was down to terrible marking. The penalty decision was rather fortunate and very harsh on L'argent, but the taker hit it high and over. As WHB were starting to play a bit better, they went an conceded a third which really put the tie to bed before half-time.

Some substitutions were made which improved the course of the game for WHB as they pressed and goalkeeper Nathan Leach had very little to do for the whole half. Despite some good play in midfield and on the wing at times the final ball was always lacking and the tireless Jay Walker had very little service. With a few more substitutions with Dan Johnson, Michael Jones and James Amos coming on the change in dynamic was evident and WHB finally got their reward. A long L'argent ball managed to find its way in and out of the Diamonds goalkeepers hands and into the feet of an onrushing Dan Johnson who smashed the ball home for his first goal. WHB started to look like the side they are capable of but despite the pressure they were unable to find a second goal and went down 3-1 and back to the league.

After the game L'argent said: "We didn't start at all and against good teams you'll get punished like we did today. The first half performance was completely unacceptable and by gifting them goals we made it very difficult for ourselves. That being said, there were some positives we can take from a good second half performance but it needs to be for the whole ninety not just spells. There are one or two people who need to take responsibility and step up to the mark because if we play like we did in the first half today again, then we will get beaten no matter who we're playing and we cannot afford to give teams a couple of goals head start."

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

Leach - D'sa, Webster, Norbury, L'argent - R. Jones, Davies, Rhodes, Muir - Turvill, Walker.

Substitutes

Used: Amos, Dodsworth, Grosvenor, Johnson, M. Jones, Hanmore-Farrugia Unused: None.

Goal - Johnson

Man Of The Match - Walker