Team Northumbria manager Colin Stromsoy is wondering what went wrong after crashing out of the Northumberland FA Senior Cup to Newcastle Benfield on penalties.
“It doesn’t matter how much we choose not to be despondent, it will just not go for us at the moment.” said a disappointed Stromsoy.
“We have outplayed Shildon, we have outplayed Whitley Bay and we have outplayed Stockton.
“Whichever way you look at it, it is just not falling for us.”
It looked as though TN were well on their way to the Senior Cup semi-finals after they had the better chances and went 1-0 up on 78 minutes through full back Nicholas Green.
But TN were robbed of their first win in four games when ex Cardiff City marksman Paul Brayson tucked away a contentious free kick on 88 minutes with his second attempt.
Benfield then took the lead just before the break in extra time and Kevin Carr retaliated with a goal in the dying seconds to force penalties.
It wasn’t to be for TN as Benfield snatched the cup tie in the shootout winning 6-5 to set up a game against Morpeth Town, Blyth Spartans, Newcastle United U23’s or Blyth AFC on the road to St James’s Park.
“The lads are gutted because we had been the better team - we have had far more chances but we should have scored more,” added Stromsoy.
“They changed to our system in the second half, putting three in the middle of the park.
“At the same time we have hit the post twice and we were 1-0 up with a good goal.”
The extra 30 minutes of play was the last thing the Northumbria University side wanted going into this weekend’s fixture with North Shields, who sit 14 places higher in the Northern League Division One.
“We will prepare as we normally do and go into the game strong,” added Stromsoy.
The game against North Shields will kick off 3pm at Coach Lane this Saturday - a win for TN potentially propelling the team as high as 14th in the league depending on results elsewhere.
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