Uhlsport Hellenic side Kidlington made their exit from the competition in this roller coaster of a match at Yarnton Road which was thoroughly enjoyed by all those present.

Kidlington took the game meaningfully to the visitor’s right from the first whistle with both Lewis Coyle and Tommy Castle having shy’s at goal, but Bodmin’s experienced keeper Kevin Miller was more than equal to them.

The match then exploded into life in the 6th minute. A long ball forward from Bodmin was collected by Kiddy defender Liam Rice, Rice pushed the ball back to his keeper Matt Hyslop for him to clear. Sadly Rice only succeeded in wrong footing his keeper and the ball bobbled past him and into the net despite the keeper’s best efforts to prevent the ball crossing the line.

Kidlington were behind for only five minutes. More pressure resulted in a couple of corners; the second of these swung into the box by skipper Lewis Brownhill. Tommy Castle was first to the ball and headed powerfully home over the head of Miller before he could react for 1 – 1.

The game was being played at a very good pace, but it seemed to be like one of those attack against defence scenarios. Kidlington kept building attacks whilst Bodmins defence were repelling them.

Bodmin liked to get the ball forward early looking for Danny O’Hagan their big bustling centre forward who was always looking to create something if he could. By utilising this tactic the visitors were using spasmodic breakaway attacks, which in general were snuffed out before Hyslop saw any danger.

In the 30th minute Kidlington’s Ben Fitzmartin (pictured) saw his bustling run ended in dramatic style. Fitzmarting brushed past the Bodmin defence and into the penalty area where he was unceremoniously pole-axed from behind. Surely a penalty, most likely a red card for the perpetrator? It didn’t turn out that way as sadly Fitzmartin had to be carried from the field and a free kick was then awarded to Bodmin….very strange!

Fitzmartin’s injury looked serious with a six minute break in play before he was stretchered from the field of play and taken to hospital by Ambulance. Kidlington sent on Selch Ulug a recent signing to replace him.

Kidlington seemed effected by losing their tall power house in midfield and Bodmin certainly seemed to benefit from this. With other height merchants Tom Boxer and Christien Turner sadly already side lined because of injury Kidlington now had what looked one of their smallest sides fielded this season.

Bodmin forced a couple of corners which came to nothing before a sharp break from midfield saw the ball played into Lee Doel, he fired a cracking shot past Hyslop for an unexpected 2 – 1 lead to the visitors on 40 minutes.

Once again this lead didn’t last long, only two minutes later Kidlington were level again when Skipper Brownhill fired in a rasping shot from the edge of the box which looked to take a deflection before arrowing into the back of the net, 2 – 2.

A late shot from Lewis Coyle was well saved by Miller before the referee blew for half time where all the talk was of the injury to Fitzmartin and the penalty that never was.

The break gave Bodmin’s management time to readjust their side and possibly restrict the free flowing football Kidlington had been playing. This they seemed to do during the early stages of the half.

Kidlington though still on top were not seeing anywhere near as many chances at goal and Ulug was finding it tough going in midfield. He was brought off to be replaced by 16 year old Charlie Cassettari and very soon after this Kidlington were forced to use their 3rd substitute. Tom Woodbridge coming on to replace Chris Weedon, who looked to have damaged his hamstring.

Kidlington adjusted to these changes and began to get on top again as Bodmin’s players appeared to be tiring. Castle and then Coyle both hit good shot’s which Miller saved, but then Miller pulled of a worldly of a save clawing the ball back from under the crossbar from a shot from Coyle.

As we played out the last few minutes Bodmin were finding it hard to get out of their own half, try as they might Kidlington couldn’t find a goal to finish the tie. So we went into extra time at 2 – 2.

The first period was only 3 minutes old when lady luck played her part again. This time a cross in from the right wing by Bodmin’s Sam Mattews was inadvertently turned into his own net by Shaun Morgan for 3 – 2 to the Cornish Boys.

Virtually from this point on Kidlington although also fatigued carried the game fiercely to their opponents, perhaps though too fiercely as Jack Quainton picked up a second yellow card and was sent off.

Within minutes of this Morgan who was now pushed up front very nearly made amends for his mistake. He rose highest from a corner to head the ball against the inside of the far post and when the ball ricochet off it was smuggled away.

Miller then made another terrific save before Coyle shot wide from inside the box.

The second half of extra time followed the same format of attack against defence as 10 man Kidlington again piled on the pressure with Bodmin looking to hit on the break if they could.

Both Castle and then Brownhill saw shots either saved or charged down before Miller pulled off another brilliant ariel save.

The game progressed towards its last knockings with Kidlington being forever frustrated at not being able to secure at least a draw, tempers flared with Tommy Castle being shown a straight red for violent conduct.

Even now with only 9 men Kiddy to their great credit kept the pressure right on Bodmin back line, but the visitors held firm for the remaining minutes to secure themselves a place in the 4th round.

It has to be said that this was just one of those days. Manager Martin Wilkinson wasn’t able to play new central striker Danny Bone because of a family wedding and that added to injuries that prevented Boxer and Turner from playing was a blow. However the side he fielded looked to have the upper hand and would on another day comprehensively won that game. You can’t legislate for own goals and after not having conceded one all season to concede two in that manner in this game was quite laughable really.

In the end I’m sure Kidlington will be left to rue missed chances as they really had so many, that said though the experienced Millar in goal for Bodmin was a class act and I take nothing away from him and his MOTM performance.

A real down side must be the terrible injury to Ben Fitzmartin who was having a storming match. We at Kidlington obviously hope it isn’t as serious as it first looked and wish him well for a speedy recovery. This was also compounded by another hamstring injury to Chris Weedon and what with the suspension to Castle and Quainton we may well rue this day for a very long time to come.

Anyway good luck to All from Bodmin Town, enjoy the rest of your journey in the competition this season.

COYG