FA Cup: Harvey rues missed opportunity (From Gazette Series)

FA Cup: Harvey rues missed opportunity

4:34pm Wednesday 7th January 2009

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FOREST Green may have taken the Championship giants Derby County all the way in a classic FA Cup tie at the New Lawn but boss Jim Harvey was left to rue the missed opportunity of causing a major upset.

It was a case of ‘what could have been’ in the pulsating third round encounter in which Forest Green were 2-0 ahead within the first 20 minutes and 3-2 ahead with 18 minutes remaining before losing 4-3.

Darren Jones was sent off giving away the penalty that led to Derby’s winner four minutes from time and Rovers conceded three soft goals from Kris Commons free-kicks as Derby constantly came back when the Blue Square Premier side felt in control.

Harvey said: “We were going into the game believing we had a chance and having now reflected on the game and seen the performance, we had it in our grasp there to get a result.

“There was nothing from Derby in the first half until the two goals from two set pieces from Kris Commons. They’ve got a lot of big boys but we should have defended better than we did and that was disappointing.

“We went 3-2 up and I thought that might be enough but it was not to be.”

There were definitely more positives to take from Forest Green’s first foray into the magical competition’s third round though as they won the hearts of the nation in their tenacious bid at a giant-killing.

Jonathan Smith scored arguably the best goal of the round with his 25-yard volley that gave Rovers the lead and Paul Stonehouse gave an all-action display, scoring Rovers’ third and making some vital interventions at the other end.

Harvey added: “To take the lead against Derby for a team of our size was magnificent. I think the people here today had terrific entertainment and the boys will take a lot of credit but there are things we need to learn.”

“There was a lot of good football and I’m pleased with the goals but it wasn’t enough in the end.”

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