ST IVES Town went crashing out of the FA Cup at Westwood Road on Saturday, with co-manager Jez Hall claiming his team had been “bullied out” of the tie.

FA Cup Extra-preliminary Round

St Ives Town 2

Cogenhoe United 3

ST IVES Town went crashing out of the FA Cup at Westwood Road on Saturday, with co-manager Jez Hall claiming his team had been “bullied out” of the tie.

Following Tuesday’s 2-0 league defeat to Newport Pagnell, Cogenhoe United made it two home defeats from two for Ives.

“We were not good enough on Saturday, and too many players were below their usual level. The lads got bullied out of the game again by a physical side.

“I expected that against Pagnell, but not against Cogenhoe, so we need to address that and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Saints were dealt another blow when debutant Dan Matson was stretchered off with a serious knee injury following a heavy tackle.

“He was ripping them to shreds almost single-handedly when he was injured, said Hall. “He could go down as one of the best signings the club has ever made, so it’s a big loss to have him out injured now.

“It’s disappointing for the club to have gone out of the FA Cup already, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. I would have been more annoyed to see us perform like that in a league match,” added Hall.

Ives fell behind early on when Steve Blackwood gave Cogenhoe the lead. Matson nearly made the perfect first impression minutes later when he crashed a shot off the crossbar, and Carl Foreman saw a shot cleared off the line.

Cogenhoe got their second goal early in the second half to give Saints an uphill struggle. Matson gave Ives hope on the hour mark when he smashed home, but a cross fumbled by Jamie Chamberlain gave Cogenhoe the decisive goal.

After Matson’s withdrawal, Ozie Foster converted a penalty won when Matt Bannister was fouled.

N ST NEOTS Town claimed a 2-0 win over Ridgeons Premier side Dereham Town thanks to goals from Dan Jacob and Lewis Hilliard, and will face Branchester Town in the next round.