Borough Rovers v Corinthians
2(1) v 3(0) AET
Bryant, L 2
Kee
Walton Cup
05/03/11
It’s been a while since I saw a real team performance, I saw a second half performances recently against Shoebury and flashes of ability and promise up to today’s game but I feel today we finally hit our stride. Not only in normal time but in extra time also, we were far the better team, creating chance after chance. Borough were lucky it was only 3, I counted 6 other chances in extra time where we could of punished them…….but that’s all immaterial now as were on our way back to the ‘hallowed’ turf of Eastwoodbury lane.
Whilst I still have you attention and you not bored of my ranting let me just say fantastic thanks and appreciation to all those there this Saturday, everyone dug in and let me manage, there was no back chat and when I handed out instructions people followed them. As a team we haven’t reversed many half time deficits so as you listened and took on what I was saying at half time I feel the right result was evident. This was a major contribution to our success, thanks. My thanks also to Tel rose and Andy, you both know what you did.
To the match, a patched up Neil gave his all for 60 before returned back to his death bed, Kempy and Hacker dominated the battle and Harley, Lee and Mike created so many problems for Borough that even the ref mentioned that the Borough manager gave us massive compliments. I would love to mention to everyone today it was a marked improvement and now we have set the bar I feel this is how we should continue with our league performances, were now playing for a Cup final place now lads so don’t let me see you slack off now.
Being 2-0 down was hard to take, Harleys goal in the first half from a corner was a legitimate goal, Borough went on to punish us from the lack of focus we showed directly after that period of play. Well need to improve that for the future. Their second goal was just one of those things a great goal, it happens and to be honest anyone would have been proud of that one. Credit to our resolve here, we didn’t falter at any point of the match, even when lost Parker to a disgrace of a tackle. As that could of disturbed our rhythm, all match the teams determination shone though. True I changed a few things up Mike, slide into the middle with Ant sliding into wing back. After a while it became obvious to me that wasn’t going to win us the game, so when we changed to 4-3-3 and Neil retired for Lee B I felt the game was ours to win, even with the score line.
2-0 Down soon changed Lee B latched onto the ball in the box and fired past the keeper, game on. We continued to press and Harley started to run the show, dropping in between the 2 lines of Borough he found more space and attacked freely. It was then one way traffic. The back four worked tirelessly Dan H, and Kempy shielded them with Mike breaking. I thought when the second goal hit the net from the corner that Harley’s efforts had been justly rewarded. I then thought we push on and would win it in normal time………..
We were a little banged up at the break, but I felt we were a little uplifted with our own individual performances and team effort. So the performance in extra time was not only proof of our superiority but a joy for any manager, like I mentioned 6 chances to put the game to bed before Lee B again latched on to the ball in the box and produced a carbon copy of his first goal…….Boom Final here we come.
Name
Rating
Scored
Mom
Breakdown
Karl
7.5
Not at fault for goals, flapped a couple but solid.
Ewan
7.5
Awesome return to form, hassled their strikers all day
Sam
7.5
Calm and assured with few mistakes
Neil
7.5
Dug deep, gave your all. Needed to be replaced
Charlie
7.5
Turning out to be Mr consistent, very good all round
Parker
7
Was carrying a knock then too a dirty one.
Kemp
8.5
Took captaincy, led by example lost one header only because he butted the man instead.
Dan H
8.5
Never seemed to play a bad ball, battled hard even with cramp.
Harley
8.5
1
Took the game to Borough, scored and constant menace. Cruelly had a goal disallowed
Mike E
8.5
Slow start at wing back, went into midfield and lit up the game
Frost
7
Everything good except the finish, one of those days
Ant C
7.5
Came on settle fast, linked very well
Lee B
8.5
2
Scored getting us into game, then again to put us into the final
Andy
Dnp
My thanks.
