By Willis Bennett
October 10 2019, 10.50
Follow @SW_Londoner
Joint manager Cornelius Nwadialor was frustrated by Tooting & Mitcham’s game plan execution as they exited the FA Cup in the third qualifying round with a 2-0 defeat to Poole.
The Terrors conceded in the 13th minute when striker Marvin Brooks’ finish from six yards out finished off some neat work from Luke Holmes, before substitute Ollie Dennett’s 84th minute effort ended the contest.
But the home side were playing against 10 men for almost an hour following Holmes’ red card for a reckless lunge on Nathan Daly, however they couldn’t capitalise on Poole’s ill-discipline in front of a crowd of 434.
Nwadialor said: “It was very frustrating. When you’re playing against a bigger club you have to be on it, and we were not.
“This was probably our worst performance this season and it came on the biggest stage.
“The FA Cup run was a lovely journey though, we felt we connected more with the fans.
“They were all in and the capacity was the highest it’s been all season and everybody was in great spirit.
“We dominated the first ten minutes, we were on it. When they had their first chance they scored, it was deflating.
“When they got the red card they immediately dropped off.
“It was a red card for me, I agreed with the linesman. He explained the speed and height of the tackle made it a red. It was out of control.
“After the red they gave us space and let us play. But only in front of them, nothing in the final third. We managed to create a few moments but not enough.
“In the second half our emphasis was on getting the ball wide and to get early crosses in.
“We managed to do that in the first 10 minutes, we had two brilliant chances but didn’t take them.
“We got frustrated and then desperate. We came away from our strategies and plans and instead hit it long.
“We knew the only way Poole were going to score was from a set piece. We said we would make sure we didn’t give away silly fouls.
“But we gave away a few and the last one got punished.”
If they had salvaged a draw they would have forced a replay in Poole.
Nwadialor said: “If we’d equalised we’d have to travel all the way down to Poole for a midweek game. We were up for it regardless but it would have been tough.
“We’re going to be down for a little bit but we will be looking for a reaction by Saturday. We will be fresh.”
