Cold, wet & windy.....but enough about Richie.
Cringleford were keen to get back in the saddle after a prolonged seasonal break which saw Rudi taking the idea of extra winter padding to a whole new level. Mark Dennis had to break out of rehab to get to the game on time, otherwise everyone seemed fit & well. A notable absentee was super chef Hickman, old granny legs turning up in a fetching pair of tights after some light cosmetic surgery. Roger is hoping that Can Can nights at Hickman's on a Tuesday will really bring in the extra bucks.
One look at the Wealdon side suggested the game may be physical...they didn't disappoint.
The away side had to really battle to assert their dominance & after a prolonged spell of pressure got the reward. Some unbelievable work by Mark Hallam on the right side who after emerging triumphant from a David & Goliath battle, showed great skill & vision to find Hucks with a long ranger. Hucks looked to lob the keeper, & as the ball was goal-bound, a desperate lunge by the Wealdon defender helped it home. Borderline own goal but we'll give it to Hucks.....he needs the confidence booster.
Wealdon replied immediately. A clumsy challenge by Jon T...yes Jon...seriously clumsy...gave the home side a penalty which they dispatched efficiently. 1-1.
Rudi had a good chance to restore the lead with a free kick in a dangerous area. On the touchline the manager’s words “Rudi’s gonna bang this one in” seemed to hang in the air...as did Rudi’s free kick.
A notable highlight from this first half was an unbelievable effort from Matty M combining great football technique & martial arts to hit the post with a volley with the outside of the boot from an impossible angle. Had it gone in, goal of the season would've been done & dusted.
Cringleford were fairly relaxed at half-time in the knowledge that much of the same should see them win comfortably & as soon as they could get Mark Hallam off the swings the second half could get underway.
Second half was all one way. Ben Carver came alive & lit up the game with flair, pace & technique. Escaping free down the right he found Dave Waters with a lovely clipped cross, which Dave finished with aplomb. 2-1 to the visitors. Dave's purple patch continued as he soon went on to set up Mark “He scores when he wants" Hallam, to finish in style. One touch past the defender & drilled into the bottom corner (his words not mine) 3-1.
Fourth goal was a Hucks solo, surrounded, as he was for most of the game, by a sea of orange, Huck’s disco feet danced through the Wealdon defence & with a shimmy, a fleckle & a moon walk, he found himself in front of the keeper & side footed home. 4-1 to Cringleford...& a ten from Len.
Karl Izzard finished off the scoring from a Matt Metcalf pass after a fine team move. The introduction of a certain Frenchman having brought some much needed flair to the proceedings. Final Score 5-1 to Cringleford.
This game was never easy & Cringleford had to work really hard before eventually cruising to the win in the last 20 mins. Wealdon battled hard with challenges at times fairly brutal but the game was generally played in good spirits. Mick Sanders got some serious abuse from the home fans for flagging a disputed offside.....Age concern are investigating.
So Cringleford are through to the Semi-Final of the league cup for the first time in their history & can now look forward to a mouth-watering encounter with Quebec...& some unfinished business.
