Baffins boss Wilkinson reflects on FA Cup exit: ‘We’ve been the masters of our own downfall’

Shaun Wilkinson made a disappointing start to his Baffins Milton Rovers reign with a 2-1 FA Cup defeat against AFC Stoneham at the PMC Stadium.
Sam Woodward, seen here in action for Pompey Academy, netted Stoneham's winner at Baffins Milton Rovers in the FA Cup. Picture Ian HargreavesSam Woodward, seen here in action for Pompey Academy, netted Stoneham's winner at Baffins Milton Rovers in the FA Cup. Picture Ian Hargreaves
Sam Woodward, seen here in action for Pompey Academy, netted Stoneham's winner at Baffins Milton Rovers in the FA Cup. Picture Ian Hargreaves

Baffins led at the interval but paid the price for a couple of errors in the second half.

Wilkinson felt his side were their own worst enemy as they exited the competition at the extra preliminary round stage against their Wessex League Premier Division rivals.

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'It was disappointing from us because we can play a lot better than that,' said Wilkinson.

'We didn't play and, even though we were in front at half-time, I wasn't happy with them.

'In the second half I was looking for the players to go see it out and finish the job.

'If we had got a second goal it would have killed them off.

'Instead a couple of rash decisions and conceding a needless penalty lets them back into it.

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'We fell asleep at a corner and their lad has run from the back.

'One of our players let him run past him and another one didn't come out quick enough.

'This has been our problem all pre-season with few sides scoring good goals against us.

'We have been the masters of our own downfall.'

Stoneham started the stronger of the two sides and it took Baffins 25 minutes before launching their first serious attack.

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On 28 minutes home goalkeeper Charlie Searle, who was excellent all game, kept his side on level terms by beating away a Matt Bainbridge shot.

Within eight minutes, the home side broke the deadlock.

Tyler Moret unlocked the Stoneham defence with an inch perfect through ball and Dale Mason finished well.

The home side made a good start to the second period but a lapse in concentration cost them dearly on the hour mark.

Matt Simm raced up unmarked at a corner and James Cowan - one of four players making their competitive Baffins debut - clumsily brought him down inside the area.

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Though Searle got his hands to Scott Hills' spot-kick, he couldn't keep it out of the net.

Earlier, Searle had pulled off a magnificent diving save to keep a Hills shot out of the top corner.

On 76 minutes ex-Pompey Academy player Sam Woodward sealed Baffins' fate with a good low drive into the far corner.

The hosts huffed and puffed after this but never looked like grabbing an equaliser and forcing penalties.

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'We are a young team and things will take time,' said Wilkinson.

'Tonight our flair and creative players all had poor games.'

Baffins’ first Wessex League game is at Alresford this Saturday.

Baffins Milton Rovers: Searle, Williamson, Miller, Sharp, Warren, White (Blankson 80), Scutt, Cowan, Moret, Dart (Osborn 65), Mason.