Howden AFC v Pocklington Town

Pock Punish the MinsterMen
 
The MinsterMen hit self-destruct this past weekend in League cup action as they were eventually humbled 5-0 away at Pocklington Town. Howden AFC matched the Humber Premier side for the best part of 75 minutes. But a 10 minute relapse cost the visitors dearly, who learnt valuable lessons from the high flying home side.
  Welcoming back Westerman and Gorman the MinsterMen had an aura of belief that they could pull off the upset. Will Butterill made his first start for the first team and was caught out early on as a quick kick off saw Pocklington's wide man get in behind, flashing his effort across goal. An early warning sign. 
  It didn't seem to register as within ten minutes the visitors found themselves trailing as has been a regular occurrence in recent games. Pocklington's centre halve shrugged off his marker with ease and headed home a corner. 1-0. 
  Howden couldn't get to grips with the game's pace and Pocklington had a few more efforts, which Jackson dealt with well. 
 Andrew and Oldridge worked tirelessly off the ball to regain any kind of possession, to which Howden started to make use of. Dave McMahon, Craig Gorman &  Sam Westerman began to test the resolve of the Pocklington back line, showing positive link up play. 
 On the half hour mark Howden were dealt a blow as Gorman's closing down resulted in a clearance to the face. Fast swelling and loss of vision meant the striker couldn't carry on, replaced by debutant Sam Schofield. Five minutes later the MinsterMen lost Rich Hutchinson to injury following a late challenge, replaced by last year's star John Boardman.
  The MinsterMen came in at half-time 1-0 down, after defending resolutely, the killer ball was the only missing ingredient. While Pocklington got a grilling, Howden got a motivational nudge to keep it going. 
  It was the visitors who dictated the second half, matching the favorites man for man. Damien McMahon, Butterill and Munday looked untroubled at the back as Howden pushed forward looking for the equaliser. 
  Schofield, showed his raw talent as the 16 year old showed quick feet to win a free kick twenty five yards out. However the strikers effort was blocked by the wall. Tom Douthwaite came closest as he worked the keeper down to his bottom right, saving well, turning it round for a corner. The MinsterMen's set play quality wasn't as high as it should have been as they failed to conjure up anything from corners.  
  Ash Andrew did however manage to pick out Douthwaite at the back post from a free kick, yet the wide man could only hit the side netting. Boardman had the crowd on their feet as his trickery and pace caused Pocklington problems. 
   The home side resorted to long ball counters, and on 75 minutes they got the crucial second goal. A quick cross pitch pass, pulled back across left Munday with two men, tapping home easily. The flood gates then opened. Another cross field pass was cut back for the striker to hit home from 12 yards unopposed yet again. The fourth was another six yard tap in and the towering centre halve added his 2nd, and Pocklington's 5th from a corner. 
 A baffling ten minutes and Howden can only blame themselves as they transformed a respectable effort, to a humiliating scoreline. Finishing 5-0, Howden found themselves out yet again at the first hurdle of the league cup. 
  "This is a lesson for me, and for the lads" said manager Holt. "We want to be at that level, switch off against top opposition and that's what happens. Pocklington punished us. We'll bounce back though, we matched them for the majority of the game".