FSA Pro had plenty of positives to take from the trip to top of the table Hartpury despite a 3-1 loss.
After beating Hartpury in the national's knockout stage last season FSA Pro fielded a young side consisting mainly of first years who competed well and made Hartpury work hard for victory.
The game started fairly even with both sides settling into the game and the ball spending a lot of time in both team's defensive thirds whilst in possession.
An excellent cross from Hartpury after 15 minutes found an unmarked forward at the far post to calmly finish the ball into the far corner after the FSA Pro defence were caught out positionally.
After the opening stages the FSA Pro team grew into the game and kept the ball well creating a few half chances of their own. The FSA Pro defence grew in confidence as they managed to deal with Hartpury attacks and stay in the game.
In the final minute of the first half a good display was rewarded with a goal from Josh Agbude on 44 minutes. Goalkeeper Archie Briggs clipped an excellent ball forward for Josh Agbude to use his pace and get in behind the Hartpury defence to finish well and level the game.
The second half display was again encouraging with the defence standing firm and FSA Pro keeping possession well in spells. On a few occasions FSA Pro won the ball back and possession was given away too easy allowing Hartpury to put pressure on but FSA Pro continued to defend well.
Hartpury's goals both came from set pieces taking advantage of their physical advantage first a header from a free kick and with less than 10 minutes remaining a header from a corner.
FSA Pro responded with a change of shape and again created a few opportunities but were unable to score and the game finished 3-1 to the home side.
FSA Pro next host Dereham in the last 16 of the Cup up next and will go into the game looking to build of some positive displays despite the scoreline.
Final Score: Hartpury 3 FSA PRO 1
Man of the Match: Brandon Ojong
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