Skenfrith crash out of cup (From Free Press Series)

Skenfrith crash out of cup

Skenfrith United 0 Pencombe 3

BRAVE Skenfrith United might have been knocked out of the HFA Cup, but they left with their pride and honour unbroken.

The spirited Hereford-shire Division Two side were right in it until the last 20 minutes of play when Pencombe stretched their half-time lead with two late goals. And with similar fire power of their own up front, it might have been United who had just edged their way into the last four of the competition.

Player Nick Oxford blamed United's frailties in front of goal as their downfall, pointing to a lack of personnel as proof to just why United have failed to achieve what they so clearly are capable of doing.

Oxford is adamant the club has the best midfield and defence in its history, but no one who is capable and willing to do the business up front. And by his reckoning with that right man United could have been vying for promotion to Division One.

"It's been a disappointing season," admitted a "gutted" Oxford after Saturday's disappointing cup defeat.

"With the right fire power we could have done better. think we could have been up there in the table if we had just a little something up front and competing on the score sheet with sides like Pencombe.

"Everything has hinged on the fact that we have such a quality midfield and defence - the best I would say since we formed - but no one up front."

United's best chances on Saturday fell to their man of the match David Ellias. For all their possession though - particularly in the first half in which they matched Division One leaders Pencombe in every pass and tackle - United just couldn't muster a testing strike on goal.

"I think they knew we were missing someone up front," admitted Oxford. "We are having to concentrate on other teams strikers, while building passages of play of our own. Yet teams playing against us just don't have to worry about marking our men up front because we haven't really got any. It makes the game so much more easy for the opposition to play against us."

Still United can take plenty of heart from their performance even if defender Anthony Wig-more rode his luck late on by touching the ball with his hand, in the box.

The club has a break from action this weekend, but Oxford like the rest of the squad has one eye on Easter Monday's Ross Cup Final against Western.

"We're desperate to win it, it's as simple as that," he said.