Saturday 21st March saw both semi-finals of the Thomas Field Shield being played simultaneously at Fairford Leys, with Bucks CC playing FC Spandits, whilst Long Marston played Great Missenden.
Bucks were missing a few players due to holidays and suspensions, so once again there was a change in personnel and for some players a chance to play their way into contention for the final. They started with Moran in goal, a back 4 of Sinfield, Ainger, Hattan, and Page. The midfield consisted of Underhill, Jones, Bailey-Goss and Undi, whilst Swiercynski came in to partner Moreton in attack.
With the howling wind blowing straight into their faces Bucks started slowly, but dealt with the long ball game that Spandits adopted, very capably. After a period of settling in to the game, Bucks were passing the ball well and were supplying Moreton and Swiercynski with the chance to get at the Spandits defence. Jack Page was a constant threat throughout the first half an hour, most notably delivering a couple of great crosses from the right wing position. FC Spandits were dealing reasonably well against Moreton and Swiercynski in the air, but the constant threat of Bucks front pair got some reward with a number of corners being won. It was from a corner that Bucks deservedly took the lead. Taken right footed by Jones from the left hand side, the ball was flicked goal wards by Swiercynski before it was blocked on the line and then hammered home by Underhill (38 mins). This goal was enough to see Bucks go in to half time with the lead, knowing that they had given a good account of themselves in the first half and dealt admirably with the gusty conditions.
Nothing changed with the Bucks approach in the second half with the ball being won well in the air by Ainger and the impressive Hattan, whilst smart interchanging in the midfield meant that the ball was retained well. The lead was doubled just before the hour mark when Moreton smashed home at the second time of asking, having hit the post on his first attempt (58 mins). At this stage of the game Bucks were really coming into their own, dictating the pace of play and leaving the opposition no option other than a long ball. The third goal arrived for Bucks with just over 20 minutes to go, in the form of a Rikki Sinfield strike following a Rae Undi free-kick which was not cleared (69 mins). This was swiftly followed by the substitution of Ainger, who was replaced my Martin Carr after he rolled his ankle. The rest of the game was a formality, with no chances of note at either end, until almost the last kick off the game. Play was broken up in the middle of the pitch before Underhill slid the ball forward to Swiercynski who finished right footed from just outside the area (90 mins).
There were very good performances all over the pitch for Bucks, but Man Of The Match in this game went to Will Hattan who was a real stalwart in the heart of the Bucks defence.
In the other semi-final, Great Missenden beat Long Marston 3-1 to set up a repeat of last year’s final, which will be played on Friday 3rd April at Tring Athletic (10:45 kick-off)
