Stone proud but also frustrated as Doughboys suffer FA Cup exit at hands of Poppies
Boss Jake Stone was left wondering what might have been after seeing his Wellingborough Town team suffer a narrow 2-1 defeat to higher level county rivals Kettering Town in the FA Cup on Tuesday night.
Following Saturday's 2-2 draw at the Dog & Duck, the two sides went head to head again in a replay at Latimer Park.
As they did at the weekend, Step 4 Doughboys again did more than give as good as they got against Step 3 side Poppies, but it wasn't quite enough as the home side edged home.
A penalty at the end of the first-half from Michael Gyasi and a Theo Alexandrou effort at the start of the season saw the Poppies lead 2-0, and although Borough finished strongly and pulled one back through an own goal, they couldn't force an equaliser and their Cup run is over.
It is a first defeat in 10 matches this season for the Doughboys, and although proud of his side’s efforts, Stone was left to rue them not being clinical enough when on top - particularly Danny Draper passing up a one-on-one opportunity with the score at 0-0.
It proved to be a serious turning point, as Kettering netting their opener from the spot just minutes later.
"I am hurting because I just think we could have won both games, I really do," said the Stone.
"Because we were so good in the first half of both games, it gives you that sense of 'these are there for the taking'.
"There was a period in the first half, leading up to Drapes' chance, where we were all over Kettering.
"Every time they had the ball in the backline and they played it short, we punced on them and we have worked so hard at that all pre-season, and all in the season so far.
"That is down to hard work and a lot of planning.
"But Drapes misses that chance, and yes it does change the game.
"I don't want to put it on him too bad, but if he had scored that then the Kettering penalty minutes later doesn't happen, but that's football."
The Doughboys remain in cup action this weekend as they turn their attention to the FA Trophy and a second qualifying round clash at Nantwich Town (ko 3pm).
They are then scheduled to return to Pitching-In Northern Premier League Midlands Division action next Tuesday with a trip to Nuneaton.
Quotes courtesy of Peter Short