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So there is to be no repetition of the MAA Cup glory of
last season.
Both Notts teams who had battled so hard to get to the
last four of the cup were beaten at the last hurdle, the
unkindest time to lose for any team.
For Notts Ones it was a particularly bitter blow. The reigning
champions had made a manful attempt to hang onto their trophy
by putting out two strong teams in the two previous rounds,
both after extra time.
Notts were oh so close to repeating their success of 2001.
Extra time would be needed again against the useful Trent
University, and Notts thought they had the break through
only to be pegged back by a last minute equalizer and their
grip on the cup faded in a disappointing loss in a penalty
shoot out.
Notts Threes suffered similar heartbreak in their semi
against top of the division ASC Dayncourt, a team they had
already beaten in the league this season.
Three one down by half time, the game was virtually over,
but Notts kept playing and although they will be disappointed
with their performance, they too have done remarkably well
to get this far in the competition.
It is a measure of how far the club has come in a couple
of seasons that the players and managers of these two teams
are so disappointed. Success breeds success and Notts are
now a club who are expecting to do well in league and cups
rather than hoping for the occasional good result.
A good example of this is the progress the Reserves have
made this season.
On the 20th October, 2001, Notts Reserves narrowly lost
5-4 to Wollaton IV in a league game to lie just below halfway
in the league. Ten league games and four months later, they
sit proudly at the top of the table having amassed 30/30
points with ten straight league victories.
This remarkable run has been completed in some style. They
are the top scorers in the division and they have an impressive
goal difference of almost 30 goals over their rivals. While
they have yet to recapture their pre-Christmas good form
in 2002, the results are still coming, which is an encouraging
sign.
While delighted with their achievements, the team are keeping
their feet firmly on the ground. Unbeaten Bracken Park lie
in second place, and although Notts have yet to play them,
there are other good teams in the division who could yet
have a say in matters.
So the Ones and Threes can return to league action. There
is still much to play for. The first team could finish in
a very respectable league position if they win their outstanding
league fixtures and the threes will be hoping to put a few
results together to ensure a top half finish in division
two.
Cup defeats, like league defeats, are always a disappointment,
but at least the league gives you another chance next week.
Hopefully all three Notts teams will be grabbing those chances
for three points in every game right until the end of the
season.
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