Having not played since mid-December, Jovial Monk were itching to get back on the pitch. However, they would probably have wished for a more gentle re-introduction to football than a Quarter-Final trip to one a team in a division above them. A team recognised as one of Swindon Sunday league's best who had a 100% home record and had only conceded a single goal on home turf this season.
Of course, all Cups have giant-killings and we all love to see an underdog come through and shock one of the 'big boys'. Unfortunately for Jovial Monk, Sunday was not one of those days. The game went very much the way of the form book. Two goals each from Matt Jones, Biagio Mazzotta and Kyle Parker, with another one for Tommy Ouldridge, saw AFC Mannington cruise to a 7-0 win.
As manager Shaun Smith commented afterwards, "We needed more buses".
No time to dwell on what have been though, the Knockout Cup will have to wait for another year. Let's remember that Monk are still fourth in the league and still in with a shout of the title, despite DPR being six points ahead of them. Next Sunday's league clash with third-placed AFC Stratton is the start of four games that could be pivotal. Following the Stratton game Monk welcome Woodlands Edge to Lambourn, before taking on leaders DPR and then second-placed Gorsehill Borough on consecutive Sundays. All to play for.
Look out for the preview of the Stratton game later in the week.
Of course, all Cups have giant-killings and we all love to see an underdog come through and shock one of the 'big boys'. Unfortunately for Jovial Monk, Sunday was not one of those days. The game went very much the way of the form book. Two goals each from Matt Jones, Biagio Mazzotta and Kyle Parker, with another one for Tommy Ouldridge, saw AFC Mannington cruise to a 7-0 win.
As manager Shaun Smith commented afterwards, "We needed more buses".
No time to dwell on what have been though, the Knockout Cup will have to wait for another year. Let's remember that Monk are still fourth in the league and still in with a shout of the title, despite DPR being six points ahead of them. Next Sunday's league clash with third-placed AFC Stratton is the start of four games that could be pivotal. Following the Stratton game Monk welcome Woodlands Edge to Lambourn, before taking on leaders DPR and then second-placed Gorsehill Borough on consecutive Sundays. All to play for.
Look out for the preview of the Stratton game later in the week.
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