Rowe proud of Peacocks after cup exit (From Halesowen News)

Rowe proud of Peacocks after cup exit

10:00am Sunday 23rd September 2012 in Football By Matt Maher

IAN Rowe says Gornal Athletic have every reason to be proud after their FA Cup exit to Worcester City.

The Peacocks lost 4-0 to City, who play three levels above in the Conference North, in the second qualifying round yesterday.

But it was a battling display from the hosts, watched by a bumper 400-strong crowd at the Garden Walk and boss Rowe felt the final scoreline was harsh on his side.

He said: “4-0 looks like we have been battered but we weren’t.

“It was only in the last ten minutes when we started to look ragged and they scored two more, which was really down to tired bodies and minds.

“This was always going to be a tough ask for us but I felt for 80 minutes we were more than in the game.”

Goals from Michael Taylor, Mike Symons, Jacob Rowe and Charlie Reece sent Worcester through after they had weathered a storm from the hosts during the first half.

Marvin Nisbett in particular had a great chance to put Gornal ahead just past the half hour mark when he shot wide from close range.

But Rowe refused to be too critical of his striker.

He said: “To be fair Marvin has been on fire this season.

“From the middle of the goal, seven or eight yards out you are thinking he has got to score but it was not to be. That is just the way it goes sometimes.”