After a tough week, the Greens found the going hard and could never really get into their stride against a well-drilled Muxloe side who on the day, more than deserved their victory. Goals from the impressive Zakari Adams and Lucca Watson-Quilter had already given the Leicestershire outfit a cushion by the time Ewan Lilleyman powered home a late third to put the nail in the Greens coffin once and for all. It leaves the Greens to focus on important pending league action in the week while Muxloe will look forward to a first appearance in the 1st Round of the FA Vase for eight years.

Interim Manager Graham Watkins went unchanged from the side that were defeated 4-1 in midweek by Wisbech Town – though there were four changes on the bench with Andy Whalen the only survivor from Tuesday night - Mitchell Clogg, Connor Lindley, Tyrell Shannon-Lewis, and Lewis Smalley all taking places amongst the substitutes. Visitors Kirby Muxloe meanwhile were 1-0 victors at Birstall United in the week and they made three changes from that side with Jaede Timms, Suleiman Nassor and Tyler Love dropping out of the side for Ewan Harrington, Tom Carroll, and Jack O’Brien.

The Greens very much struggled to get going in the first half and could have been behind after just four minutes when Zakari Adams fed Jack Gunn who crashed the base of the post. The chances kept coming for this visitors, Lucca Watson-Quilter blazing over the crossbar after out-muscling Ryan Flitton on the edge of the bar before the lively Adams lofted an effort onto the roof of Liam Flitton’s net.

The Greens did respond – fleetingly anyway – when Kyle Watkins flicked Jake Henderson’s freekick just wide of the post before back at the other end, Flitton was back in action to deny Adams once again, blocking well from close range. The goal the visitors ascendency deserved finally arrived in 39th minute when Jack Gunn advanced out of midfield to feed Adams who in turn dinked a lovely effort over Flitton and into the net – the least he and his side deserved on the balance of play.

The Greens mustered a response and Josh Parker forced the first meaningful save from Charlie Andrews in the Muxloe goal before the visiting keeper was alive to deny Tom Waumsley on the rebound. Then, despite being three minutes into one added, disaster struck as Andrews goal-kick was flicked on into the path of Lucca Watson-Quilter who made no mistake when one-on-one with Flitton, clinically powering beyond the helpless home keeper.

The Greens certainly game out for the second half with a bit more adventure, but they still couldn’t convert that into anything significant chances wise – Finlay Armond powering wide from the edge of the box the closest the Greens came. Back at the other end and Liam Flitton was back in action, scooping up Jack O’Brien’s effort just beyond the hour before Jack Gunns neat lay-off saw Ewan Lilleyman volley over the crossbar.

The Greens kept plugging away, but they were effectively frustrated by the visiting side and could not find a way back into the contest. Billy Gillies was the first man to attempt to give the Greens hope, powering over the crossbar before Tyrell Shannon-Lewis saw an effort deflected wide of the post. It was debutant Shannon-Lewis who had the Greens best opportunity with time running out when his speculative overhead kick flew inches wide of the post from Gillies knockdown. But with time running out and space in the break, it was to be Muxloe who found the decisive third goal in the third minute of time added on – Ewan Lilleyman the man to drive at Ryan Flitton before powering beyond the despairing drive of brother Liam.

Words: Oliver Atkin