We somehow find ourselves in March already and once again the CTYFC U14 Rebels made the journey down the A3 to face Sutton Utd Youth, this time in a Surrey County Cup Semi Final tie. The pitch was huge and the grass long and both teams were set for a tough battle. We got off to the perfect start and took the lead inside a minute. We won 2 early corners, the second swung in from the left by Luca which hung up in the strong cross field breeze. Freddie won the first header and Mikey then helped it on before Zahir was brave running in and nodded it past the keeper from close range. Straight from the kick off we switched off and we had Dom to thank as he made a really smart stop from close range. The next 15 minutes were evenly contested but a lightning counter attack saw Oli link up well with Mikey, which resulted in Mikey’s goal bound shot cleared off the line by a scrambling defender. In the 20th minute we had James to thank for preventing us going behind as he did really well to clear off the line following a scramble in the box. We then doubled our lead in the 22nd minute. Following good work down the right from Hayden and Zahir we won a throw. From here the ball again reached Zahir whose quick feet in the box saw the ball fall to Oli whose snapshot seemed destined for the bottom corner. The keeper however saved well but James reacted first to the loose ball and fired back across goal from the left to find Mikey running in at the back post for an easy tap in. Shortly after Oli had another chance to make it three but the keeper again saved well. Sutton did then pull a goal back in the 30th minute to keep the game alive. HT 1-2. With the second half strategy set we again looked for a fast start to the half and it nearly came when a cross from the left was met by Luca in the box but his header was just wide. With Sutton pushing for an equaliser Isaac, JJ, Freddie and Hayden were defending strongly and Kris as always was busy and working tirelessly to disrupt in midfield along with Erim and George. Josh DK was working really well to implement the tactics we discussed which ultimately ended up changing the game - and was at the heart of a decisive moment in the 50th minute. Mikey got free down the left and showed good pace to deliver a dangerous cross. It was only half cleared and kept alive by Zahir who found Josh who then found Oli with a great pass on the right side of the box. Oli shrugged off a defender and unleashed a rocket of a shot that gave the keeper no chance at his near post and it was 3-1. Sutton poured forward for the remainder of the game as they looked to get back into it but again we stood firm and Dom was always alert to any danger. With 3 minutes to go we made the game safe when Freddie scored with a thunderous free kick from fully 40 yards - a great strike. FT 1-4. The game was always going to be tough but was all about the result and making it to the final. Extremely proud of all the boys who on a tricky pitch produced enough to see us through to Meadowbank Stadium. MoM - this week goes to Josh DK who implemented our tactics excellently and influenced the game in our favour and picked up a vital assist in the process. Well done Josh and well done to all involved with the squad.
