Steve Miller re-discovered his ruthlessness in front of goal-like the proverbial Thierry Henry-just in time to give his side their second 3-2 victory in a week.
Hope dominated the first half and took the lead mid-way through the half when neat play from Tom Donnelly cup-tie hero Gavin Oakley put Miller through on goal. Although his first touch took him away from goal he managed to blast his shot past the opposing goalkeeper from an acute angle.
However this was all the home side had to show for their impressive first half display and it was as if a different team appeared for the second period. Hope consistently surrendered possession early on and were duly punished when the Dynamo forward gave keeper Skinner no chance in a one on one situation. The village side appeared to then hit the self-destruct button and Dean Edmunds was dismissed not long after for foul and abusive language. Although the initial red card was unwarranted the death threat that followed was perhaps a little ill advised and the ten men then conceded a second from a well-taken free kick.
With only a quarter of an hour remaining Hope gambled by bringing on the injured Dave and Brian Fielding. This seemed to revitalise the team and Steve Smith was bundled over in the opposition penalty box not long after-John Muir despatching the resulting penalty like the consummate professional he is.
Hope then snatched victory with minutes remaining. Dave Fielding put Miller through and he lobbed the keeper with ease in front of watching new beau Ruth Isherwood to score his second of the season and give his side all three points.
MAN OF THE MATCH
STEVE MILLER
Re-discovered last season’s goal scoring touch just in time
