What a difference a week makes in football. Today 1 YORKS FC met 4 Regt RA in the 1/4 final of the Army Major Units Challenge Cup, the fixture was played at Wellington Park within Battlesbury Barracks. From the moment the team gathered at 1000 hrs for the announcement of the team and the initial game talk, there was a different feeling about the squad, a significant buzz was running through the team. As the team was named and the formation outlined the buzz continued to develop. With us having two fixtures this week and following the result last week it was decided to shuffle the pack a little with Jake Sando coming into centre mid Steven Rowe moving again to fullback and Scott King dropping to the bench to rest his ankle and to save his legs for Fridays fixture. The captains armband was taken by Ryan Bishop . The intensity continued to swell within the team and the warm up was excellent and as we moved back to the pavilion for the final team talk there was an air of confidence around the entire squad. The instructions were simple put last week out of your minds, take this opportunity and express our ability on the pitch, teamwork and our tempo would see us through what was going to be a tough encounter. It was an impressive sight to see the lads walk up together to Welly park heads held high and chests puffed out. The game started and from the off we dictated the pace of the game some good interlink play was exposing the defensive inadequacies within 4 RA. The gunners had 2 quality players , who provided the heart beat of their team everything they did well came from these two individuals. Jack Pemberton and Jake Sando work with energy and grit in the engine room to stifle the threat and also impose our game plan. From the sidelines we could see that patience would be the key to winning the day. As usual we were creating chances without really troubling the keeper. This was to change when after some sustained pressure from us and some excellent work from Aidan Kirby,Liz N Daz Clark and Iain Robbo the ball fell to Dwayne Willie who unleashed a ferocious drive across the keeper from fully 20 yards which thundered into the net just inside the post with the keeper clutching at empty space! 29 mins gone 1-0. Sadly we didnt impose ourselves from the restart and after some neat passing on the edge of our box a penalty was awarded following a clumsy challenge just inside the box, the penalty was dispatched although Jonah did get something on it but not enough to keep it out of the net, 32 mins 1-1. Both teams pressed hard for the next goal with us looking the more likely to take the lead limiting the gunners to the odd scramble in the box. The half time whistle went and we gathered to re iterate our game plan and to expose the lack of pace in the centre of the 4 RA back 4. No substitutions were made at the break but we were aware that the eccentric referee had his eyes on a couple of our players so we had changes prepared and ready. We started extremely well in the second half retaining possession and using our passing game to its full extent eventually unleashing Clarky to gather the ball and burst into the box only to be felled and a penalty was awarded, with consummate ease Robbo strode up and placed the ball coolly into the back of the net 46 mins 2-1. Now should have been the time where we settled down and controlled the game exploiting any gaps that the gunners would leave by them chasing an equaliser. This we did quite well for 8 mins until a quick exchange of passes left a couple of our players flat footed allowing the dangerous Gnr Tidy the chance to surge into our box and square the ball for a simple tap in at the back post 54 mins 2-2. For a few nerve jangling minutes after this we looked a little flustered, thankfully this phase passed unpunished and once again our class began to tell. A change was made with Kingy coming on for Stevie. Several decisions were now going against us from Gordan the ever fussy official, the frustration was growing on the sidelines as the injured skipper Moz was extremely vocal (kicking every ball) following another poor whistle blast the referee felt the need to call me onto the pitch and give me a final warning about questioning his decisions (thanks Moz) to be fair I keep telling the lads to maintain discipline so Ill take the telling off with a pinch of salt ( ref was a belter). Another change was made with Sando coming off being replaced by Eric this meant Clarky dropping into centre mid and Dwayne switching to the right wing. We continued to look the stronger team but sadly we could not convert any of our chances. The full time whistle blew and once again we pointed out that this was our day and we needed to press home the advantage as they would see penalties as a bonus should we be forced to go that far. From the start of extra time we were far better making the ball do all the work and dictating the pace as the gunners began to tire, the was rammed home when Kirbs harassed and hounded the full back robbing him of the ball creating himself half a yard if space in which he placed the ball into the bottom corner a fitting reward for his MoM performance 103 mins 3-2. This time we were far more controlled and disciplined. The introduction of Nikki Cooper for the tiring Dwayne Willie also gave us the option to hold the ball up more up top. As the gunners pressed to gain an equaliser they were exposing increasing gaps at the back one of these Coops almost exploited only to see his goal bound effort saved by the keepers feet. Some intelligent play from our more experienced players now enabled us to hit the corners and maintain possession. Although we did create a couple of chances towards the end the scoreline remained 3-2 , relief all around as the final whistle was blown and our place booked in the semi final versus 1 LSR in Germany. As a team the lads deserve all the praise there was some exceptional performances this afternoon in fact we found it hard to single anyone out for the MoM but finally Kirbs got the nod, special mentions though must go to Bish, Devon James,pembo , Robbo, Clarky and Kingy. The oompah lumpah outfit was awarded to Anthony Davies although not in the starting squad his shit trainers deserved the accolade . Now the focus shifts to Friday and the Div cup 1/4 final against KRH.
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 18:38:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015