Banbury United boss Langmead vents after ‘absolutely ludicrous’ FA Cup exit
Kelvin Langmead is devastated that his Banbury United side’s FA Cup journey is over before it even got started.
In the first qualifying round, the Puritans drew 0-0 with Step 4 outfit Exmouth on home soil, in turn forcing a replay which they went on to lose 2-1 despite earning a 1-0 lead.
Joshua Cavallo scored his first Banbury goal on his first start for the club, a stunner from 25 yards to set Langmead’s men on their way.
But a drop in concentration at the start of the second period allowed Exmouth to turn the game on its head in rapid fashion, scoring in the 50th and 52nd minutes.
As a result, those who made the 240-mile round trip had an arduous and pensive drive back home.
“The first half was the perfect away performance, I thought we were excellent with everything you want after a long journey,” Langmead told Puritans Live.
“But then, and I can give you reasons, I can give you excuses as to which player isn’t here or whatever, but we had an absolutely ludicrous 10 minutes in that second half that has cost us.
“We put ourselves in a position to win a game and then we don’t stop a cross, don’t win a header, flap at things, and that gave them so much confidence. That totally derailed us.”
The fan-owned Banbury could have really done with the influx of cash brought about by advancing to the later qualifying rounds, but it wasn’t to be.
Last term, the Puritans put on a much better show and were right on the cusp of the first round proper. That makes it all the more disappointing to go out so quickly.
“The FA Cup is a massive competition, even at the early rounds for these non-league clubs,” Langmead added.
“It brings so much, it brings hope, it brings excitement, you dare to dream of what could be. Obviously, there’s also the financial side of stuff.
“I saw tonight as an opportunity to win a game and kickstart our season a bit. But that hasn’t been the case.”
As much as Langmead has been growing increasingly frustrated with his squad recently due to a torrid run of form, the manager is accepting the blame.
“I put this group together, whether there are players missing or not, so it is my responsibility. I am accountable for this, I will take this,” he said.
“It’s a long journey home with a lot of soul searching to be done, a lot of hard work to be done. That’s a tough one, that.”