It's easy to write these things in hindsight and lose track of what happened and how good/bad it was, but this probably goes down as our biggest win since the rebirth. The spirit within the team has never been higher and the graft put in by all the lads on Sunday speaks as highly as a charged up Malc Wallsgrove. Red and White kit? Check. Injuries to midfielders? Check Cup upset on the cards? Check!
The side had a bit of a re-shuffle since our last outing in mid-December and with the lads still getting to grips with better opposition and a new formation, it was inevitable that Khalsa would get an early chance, annoyingly Tunde shifted the ball away from Titch and drove it low past Nath for 0-1! However, as we've seen before the spirit of the team is without question and after Benno was chopped down we got a direct freekick on the edge of their box. Adam Trinder stepped up and smashed a ferocious drive into the top corner and we were back on terms after barely 15 minutes play 1-1! The rest of the half was played at 100mph and it was no surprise when after two wild lunges, Coops found his way into the refs notebook and it was a relief to get to half time with 11 players still on the pitch after some more fierce tackles including more wildness from Cooper
The second half was end to end with our best chance coming when Adam rounded the keeper but could find the angle to finish it off. Immediatley they broked and only a last gasp challenge from Titch or Caz blocked the shot from troubling Nath. Bishops were battling superbly with Giggles marshalling the defence and repelling all aerial threat between himself and Whitey. With 70 minutes of chasing Khalsa around Bear took a tumble and looked very groggy on his feet so he was replaced by our new Polish youth star Stefan Grudzlinski
Extra Time was inevitable and with the lads going strong, it was all Bishops for the first period and Matt Trinders cross found Stef at the back post and his header back across goal found Jordan who poked it in from close range to make it 2-1! Cue wild celebrations, including Stef's momentum taking him around the back of the net arms aloft and a wild smile, safe in the knowledge he's a fully fledged part of BIFC now. More chances cam eour way in the second period including Stef's tap in being rled offside although the big Dutch ref watching on said " but he'shhh three yardshhh onshhhidde.." not to worry though as we fought of a late surge and saw our way into the next round
A great day to remember and a real team effort from those that played, those that were injured and watched, those there to support and those following by text from work and abroad. Well done boys, something we can all be proud of. For those not mentioned in the above report, Nath Carro was safe as he's ever been, Matt Trinder worked his nuts off for the team and Benno was superb evening take a boot for the team and turning away the Vaseline, Captain Marvel indeed!
