Whilst the bright sunshine of last week was all but a distant memory, the Ironsides hot streak was not to be broken despite the best efforts of a well organised Virginia Water side. In the first Surrey Cup match of the season, a good start was rewarded within 25 minutes, with a Julian Green goal coming from a Tiro Pascale free kick from near the corner flag. Ironsides looked comfortable, until an avoidable Virginia Water corner was given away by the Ironsides defence, and was flicked in at the near post to bring the game level. Soon after, a free kick was punted in to the box by Virginia Water from the half way line, and the Ironsides gave away a needless penalty. Despite the initial foul in the area probably being by the Virginia Water forward, the referee thought otherwise, and Ironsides went 2-1 down. The second half started with the Ironsides losing their way, and Virginia Water almost put the game beyond the Ironsides when their forward was sent clear with Ironsides committing men forward in search for an equaliser, but to Ironsides relief, the effort was fired wide of the mark. In the last 20 minutes, things looked bleak for the Ironsides, with 2 penalty appeals rejected, one of which, with the help of video evidence, looked as clear as day. However, the introduction of Martin Taylor and Ernie Ako gave the Ironsides stability at the back, and width in attack respectively. The Ironsides started to force the Virginia Water team deeper and deeper, and sustained pressure was rewarded with 6 minutes to go in the game. A long throw from captain Robbie McMahon was knocked in with a powerful header by Roy Smithen at the far post. In typical Ironsides spirit, rather than settle from extra time, they pushed for a winner, and were rewarded in the dying moments when good play by Ernie Ako was followed up by a good cross by Ernie Kendall, which in turn was met by Tiro Pascale, who twisted his neck to head a looping header towards the far post, leaving the despairing Virginia Water keeper scrambling back, but the placement was perfect, and the Ironsides took a deserved 3-2 lead to secure a place in the next round of the cup. For 2 weeks running, the Ironsides showed great character to come from behind, and the spirit which will be needed to be potential cup winners this season.
