Let me set the scene, the challengers for the 2008/09 Seniors Cup, Cringleford Veterans Vs Whitton United. Cringleford Veterans, formed just two years ago, plying their trade in Division Three for the 08/09 Season and generally a “nice bunch of lads”, with the exception of Sharred. Against First Division Whitton United, a team coached by Ruel Fox, a team who can afford a coach to travel to games, a team who bring their own support and a team who have matching training tops with their sponsors name on. The venue Bungay Town’s ground, played under floodlights, no less, on a pitch that the groundsman deserved an award for. The grass positively bristled and glistened in eager anticipation of the forthcoming clash.
The changing room was relaxed, if a little cramped for these dizzy heights, although there was space for a disabled seat, which had been aptly reserved for Dave. The toilet was busy, although less busy after George blocked it!
Cringleford probed Whitton’s defence early on with Ecky and Mike Pyne causing the Ipswich based opponents the most problems. Ecky was in fine form, his pace and jinks reminding everyone of his Huckerbyesque skill and the fact that his dodgy ticker may give in at anytime. Depsite Cringleford’s early dominance Whitton packed a punch with the speed with which they broke from defence. They had two centre forwards who worked well together and two wingers who matched Ecky for skill and pace and I bet neither of them had a dodgy ticker.
The early exchanges had let Cringleford know what we were up against. Fairman and Pyne continued to cause trouble up front and as the ball broke loose in a goalmouth scramble Fairman poked the ball home only to have been judged to have fouled the keeper.
The Cringleford defence was stretched on several occasions and Whitton’s persistence paid off when their winger went past Sharred who was too busy enjoying the banter with the crowd, then past Shaul (who would have liked to have been in the game enough to have had any banter with the crowd) and slotted the ball expertly into the far corner past the outstretched Ollie. One Nil to Whitton.
Cringleford heads did not drop, Ecky continued to probe down the right and Whitton fearful that this was where any Cringleford goal would come from singled him out for some rough treatment and Ecky was carried off shortly afterwards with an injury known to most professionals as a ballooned ankle! It was hard to see where the Cringleford reply would come from.
Despite the scoreline the game was evenly balance with Cringleford’s endeavour matching the brute force of Whitton. The Cringleford reply came shortly before half-time when a clever through ball by Fairman put Pyno through with only the keeper to beat and he curled the ball expertly low into the corner of the net to the left of the keeper. One – One, game on!
Cringleford’s joy was short-lived as a crossfield pass caught Mark flat-footed. Ollie saved the initial effort but the rebound fell kindly to the Whitton forward who slotted home coolly past two defenders on the line. Two – One to Whitton.
Cringleford continued to press but could not sneak an equaliser before half-time.
In the second half Cringleford came out all guns blazing. A neutral turning up at this point would have been forgiven for thinking Cringleford were winning, the chat was there, the endeavour was there, every tackle was contested as if it would win the game. The game was as competitive as we have ever been in and the tackles were hard and fast. Shaul was the first to go in the book for a not so subtle trip on the Whitton winger as he threatened to race clear. Whilst it wasn’t a dirty game it was a physical game and later three Whitton players would join Phil in the book together with Sharred who decided to scythe down the Whitton winger. When asked later he retorted in a brummie accent, “ I thought the ref was writing his Christmas Card list and I didn’t want to miss out!”
Wilson fired in several free kicks from dangerous areas but Cringleford failed to convert as chance after chance went begging at the far post. Woody and Taylor worked well upfront but could not create any clear openings. Ian and Mick succumbed to injuries in the second half and it began to look as though time would run out for Cringleford. Wilson fired in one last free kick, as players congregated hopefully at the far post the ball sailed over the Whitton keeper and into the top corner a la Ronaldinho and Seaman in the 2002 World Cup.
Both teams tried to sneak it in the final minutes, Whitton came close, just failing to convert a cross in the six yard box and Shaul’s moment of glory passed him by as he skewed wide from a tight angle. Extra Time!!
Whitton didn’t quite seem up for extra-time, not sure if their legs were shot or whether they were paying for the coach by the hour! Despite their tentative start Whitton put Cringleford under a lot of pressure during the first fifteen and deservedly took the lead. Ollie failed to punch a dangerous free-kick and the ball and it fell to Whitton who lashed the ball home in the top corner. Three – Two to Whitton!
Fans ware on the pitch, they thought it was all over, but this was not Golden Goal, they should have read the rules, and they should have been ready for the onslaught. Cringleford were not about to throw in the towel and the goal simply galvinised that resolve. You see Whitton may have been a team who had all the kit, a team who had the fans, a team who had a bus, but they were not a TEAM! Cringleford know what teamwork is and each man rallied, not for their own personal gain but for the greater good. One final push paid off, Mark Dennis went down the wing, crossed to Woody who mis-directed his header away from goal, it fell kindly to Ecky who juggled the ball and volleyed it. The ball hit the underside of the bar, came out and hit the keeper on the back and went in.
There was still time for Whitton to mount one final attack and as Shaul’s quick free-kick was intercepted the ensuing cross and header looked like a certain winner. Somehow Ollie searched in his closet and pulled out a top drawer save as he tipped the ball around the post. The final whistle went and it was time for penalties.
Five volunteers, Fairman, Wilson, Woody, Taylor and Dennis, and six others not so happy to step up to the plate, preferring to watch proceedings from the centre circle. Phil won the toss and decided to bat. Fairman scores, 1 – 0, and Whitton miss. After two hours of football this was the first time that Cringleford had their noses in front, dare they start to believe? Unfortunately Taylor’s penalty was saved and it was all square again. The rest of the regulation penalties were scored, meaning Sudden Death. Up stepped the Sharredmeister and coolly slotted away his penalty, up stepped the Whitton boy and hit the post, he tapped in the rebound, but that doesn’t count does it?…..it hadn’t sunk in…….we had won the Cup! Ollie was congratulated and everyone thought he was giving them the “LOSER” sign with his finger and thumb, only to reveal that his finger had been broken and dislocated on the first penalty. What a hero and for that final minute save he won the crowd’s heart and the MOTM trophy.
After several man hugs betwixt all the players, Shaul went up and collected the Cup on behalf of the team to cries of “Champeeony”. Undoubtedly Cringleford Vets proudest moment! It was a shame Nick and Fez were unable to make it, as I fear Nick’s review of the sausage and chip portion size in the clubhouse would have been scathing!
There was much celebration down the Cellar House. The cup had been wrapped in bear skin and the headline in the Cringleford Gazette the next day read, “ Dave Sharred spotted drinking from the furry cup in the Cellar House.” This really was the Sharredmeister’s finest hour!
