FC Samba Online

Samba travelled north for their eagerly anticipated FA Quarter Final against Retford Town. Samba were expecting a tough game and were not helped by a distinct lack of match practice, with only one game since 12 December.

McDonald choose to bring Francis into the starting XI after he completed 90 mins for the reserves and Dollochin had a place in midfield.

The game started and immediately Samba got on the front foot. They displayed a greater assurity in their passing and harassed Retford into mistakes on the ball.

On a big wide pitch Samba started to expose gaps in the Retford defence with both Francis and G.Taylor causing problems in the channels. It wasn't long before chances were being created and the goalkeeper twice denied G.Taylor and once Francis when they only had the keeper to beat.

Retford were getting frustrated but Samba knew they needed to capitialise on the opportunities that were being created.

On the half hour mark Samba were punished and it came from nowhere. A long punt into the channel saw the striker attack Whyatt on the edge of the box. Whyatt guided him wide but he gained sufficient space to angle a shot past Nicholls into the corner, who prior to this didn't have a shot to save.

Samba continued to play with confidence though their final ball was often their downfall after passing their way up the pitch. Samba were just starting to get frustrated themselves, when they got hit with another sucker punch.

Again a long ball was their undoing and this time the forward occupied both Wyatt and Wilkinson, still managing to get his shot in which Nicholls could only parry. A Retford player was first to the ball and had the relatively easy task of tapping the ball home for 2-0.

The fact that Samba were losing this match was something of a mystery but for all their good work they had not quite done enough in both penalty boxes.

Half Time: FC Samba 0 v 2 Retford Town

The message from the dressing room was clear. Maintain the performance level, keep it tight at the back and there was a way back into the match for Samba.

Samba started the second half well, popping the ball about, their confidence unbroken by the scoreline. However, the game looked to be beyond them when Retford got a third, less than 10 minutes into the 2nd half. The ball was drilled into the feet of the striker who spinned in an instant from 16yds out, to finish superbly into Nicholls bottom right hand corner.

Samba continued to play attractive football, though Retford looked dangerous on the break as Samba exposed themselves by pushing men forward. Samba won a number of corners and Hawkins was unlucky to see his diving header saved by the keeper at full stretch.

The away side finally got the goal they more than deserved when a free kick was headed on my G.Taylor and Francis finished from a central position lifting his volley past the keeper.

For a few minutes an unlikely comeback was on, Retford retreated to a deep position and Samba looked capable of getting at least the 2nd goal. The dream, however, quickly died when Retford's striker got yet another goal,displaying terrific finishing in the box, after a low cross from the Samba left.

Samba were not finsihed and when substitute C.Taylor won the ball in midfield it started a great move which saw Dollochin burst from midfield and finish well to bring new hope to the Sandboys, though there was only a few minutes left.

That hope ended when the Retford No.10 robbed Rose in the left back position, cut into the box and fired past Nicholls to complete the scoring and give the result an extremely harsh appearance.

Samba were out of the cup and it would prove McDonald's last game in charge.