We had to wait a fair while in freezing conditions as the semi final before us went to extra time. Balby winning 2-1. This extra wait could have been a problem but....
We had many worries with injuries leading to the game, Jimmy got 'sorted' while playing for the school and Dingle had been nursing a tight hamstring all week. On top of this Troz had a bad bang on the head during the week and looked doubtful at one stage and Simon has been unwell with a heavy cold. So it was difficult to prepare any sort of game plan going into the game other than we were going to play two up front. Which may have not been the smartest move. Bessacarr like to crowd us out in midfield with 5 against our four. At Half Time it was a good plan at the end maybe not.
We started the game like a house on fire and within 2 mins Wardy had got on the end of a cross from caddy to open the scoring. 0 - 1 (2mins Wardy). For the next 3/4 minutes Bessacarr were reeling. We were flying and played some decent stuff on a sh** pitch. It was no surprise when we increased our lead. A scramble (one of many) in the Besscarr box saw the ball pop out to Kezza who had the simple job of rolling it home 0 - 2 (5 mins Kezza). It didn't stop there for us and with Maddo and Ding pulling the strings and Wardy and Rodders looking as sharp as they have for ages we could quite easily have increased our lead and at that point overwhelmed Bessacarr.
Then came the 1st big crisis for us. The player of the year so far, Catty unexplicably let the ball roll under his foot and allow Bessacarr to score and get a foot hold in the game (1-2 8 mins). A bit of a kick in the kahunas! We were absolutely battering em and they get out of jail. Thats football!
We didn't stop and put a lot of effort into restoring our two goal lead. Troy went close and so did Maddo, Jimmy looked threatening from corners. On 22 mins Maddo conjured up a bit of 'white mans magic' inside outside shake it all about do the hokey cokey and bend it into the far corner. Take a bow! (1 - 3 22 mins Maddo)
Thoroughly deserved, all Bessacarr had was what we gave them. Mistakes at the back were costing us a bit, Catty and Jimmy looked very shakey.
HALF TME 1 - 3
Not going to say too much about the 2nd half other than calamatous defending lack of leadership and a bit of that old desire was missing! We just never played. It was a case of us going throught he motions. Which in the right circumstances can be fine. But if we dont do the basics right we leave ourselves wide open. Defend deep - fine. But offer a threat on the counter attack. We didn't! Defend with two banks of four - we didnt! Get the ball and keep it (we are 3-1 up) we didn't!
Anyway 10 minutes from the end - enter Mr Ref & Mr Lino. Firstly Mr Ref sees what we did because he put his whistle in his mouth for a blatant push on Jake as we were defending a corner. He inexplicably lets play go on they scramble the ball home (2-3 58 mins)
By the way that was no excuse for our defending, they had players free everywhere in our six yard box. Defending is not always about the defenders, midfield players can do it even the forwards. Revolutionary idea, forwards can defend!!!!
Then came Mr Linos turn, Maddo gets wrong side of his man and tanlges legs. The ref blows and awards a free kick!. The Bessacarr crowd go do lally. The Lino from 65 yards away puts his flag across his chest. Ye having a giraffe!!! PENO!!!
Right this is why Belly gets a 7 rather than a 6/10. Given the game away a bit! Dangerfield runs up shoots to his left Bellys right. He flings himself down and saves well. But wait, anybody who reads this will know a couple of weeks back he saved a peno against Barnburgh and had to save the rebound cos our defenders were dozing off. No! They never! Yes they did, fast asleep yet again. Luckily Belly got up saved the rebound and turned his score to SEVEN and saved the whole teams bacon!!!!
By the way I want a pair of specs like the LINO wears. We cant get on his back though cos he's REFFING the FINAL! OMG! Anything could happen.
FINAL SCORE Besscarr FC 2 - Carcroft JFC 3
Conclusion - a proper game of two halves. The ratings were done for your 1st Half performences. With a couple of exceptions the majority played so well. Really pleased. We got at them lovely.
Second half was poor. We knocked off, maybe thought we'd done enough, i don't know. The trouble is when you let your performance drop so low its hard to pick it up again. Its a 70 minute game.
The guys who deserve a special mention for the 1st half are Wardy, Kezza and Rodders. Spot on all three. But all three of you went missing 2nd half. Not the only ones mind, but because you had such a good first half it was noticable.
Ding, Troz, Jake and Maddo were steady away. Some the others didn't even get the first half right. We need to work on getting a performance from you all together. Although winning Semis and finals isn't always about performance. All that will remain from that game in a few years time will be Carcroft won 2-3
A few who were there might remember Maddos goal which was class.
One last thing, you guys need to get onto your parents, relatives, friends and neighbours and get em to come and watch you in the final. WHY? Because i noticed yesterday we were out numbered 2 - 1 with the Bessacarr fans. Balby will have everybody and their grandmothers watching on April 10th. Despite what people think i believe the officials DO get swayed by a partisan crowd. Lets make sure its evens stevens. Let the best team win! CARCROFT OF CAUSE!!!!
