Match report Tom Lawson ¼ Final v AFC Dara (away) 08.03.2015
It was the big one, the cup quarter final against arguably the best team left in the competition, a side that had beaten of comfortably twice already this season in the league (4-0 away and 5-2 at home). The odds were stacked against this Croygas side (rumours of Dara already trying to re-arrange the date of the final only served to stoke the level of whatsapp chatter to previously unseen levels) – everyone was ready.
Everyone at the ground well before 10am, pitch side by 10 past 10 and fully ready to go well before kick-off, this was a Croygas that hadn’t been seen before this season (or ever!). Everyone was “on it”, the big question was did we have enough to scale the challenge in front of us.
With a strong squad of 16 present and Croygas started out with the standard 4-4-2 formation (easily transition able into a 4-5-1 if we were under the cosh). Aiden started in goal, the usual back 4 of Sam-Burg-Reeno-Adam was in place. A midfield quartet of Jim-Dave-Matt-Gary and Ross-Reiss up top. Instruction were to hassle the f**k out of these Dara “semi-pro’s”, not to give them a second on the ball, rattle them and make use of our ability on the counter.
The game began in the fashion that was to be expected, Dara gained the early initiative, controlling possession and territory, however not creating the sort of clear cut chances that they had in previous encounters. Something was definitely different this time, the energy and work rate of every single player in the Croygas team was 10-15% up on standard. Slowly we managed to get ourselves a foothold in the game. At one point Ross has picked the ball up about 10 yards into our own half, drove passed 3-4 Dara defenders and ended up winning us a corner. This was a sign of things to come as the work-rate of Ross/Reiss and the supporting runners from midfield had Dara on edge, they committed less men forward and increasing looking for the long diagonal to their star CF. Our defence was rock solid in dealing with these threats. A couple of chances for both teams and you felt that something was coming; it soon did and it was Croygas who took the lead, Ross drawing a couple of defenders before laying the ball off to el capitano who drove forward and unleashed as **cough cough** howitzer **cough couch** that snuck past the keepers grasp and into the back of the net.
This led to a spell of gas dominance and a few chances were squandered to make it 2-0 before half time.
The mood at half time was to keep the effort up, that Dara were going to be p****d off and would come at us hard. This was definitely the case as they nearly equalised straight from the kick off. The warning was not heeded as a few minutes later they did equalise.
This led to a spell of Dara dominance as Gas struggled to get a foothold in the game (well other than Justin aka the “Chinese guy” who managed to get a foothold on Sanchez that earned him a yellow card). As time began to run out, everybody knew one goal could nick it and although again there were a couple of chances for both sides, no further scores were added and the full time whistle was blown meaning extra time.
Extra time started appallingly for Croygas as Dara scored from a corner (worryingly a free header). Still Croygas battled trying to find a way back into the tie, Dara were holding firm. At half time of extra time the advice was to believe in themselves, the chance will come we just have to take it. Well that all went to s**t within a minute of the second half of extra time starting as Dara walked straight through an idle Croygas side to make it 3-1.
At this point many sides would have folded and their heads dropped; Croygas switched to a 3-4-3 and began to try and get themselves back in the tie. A couple of chances went begging until finally a superb cross from Jim was headed (YES HEADED!!) into the bottom corner by Reiss. 3-2 and 5 minutes to go. Could we force as penalties. Chances were coming as Reeno headed just wide from a Gary cross and hit a left footer high and wide. In the final minute we got a free kick on the edge of the box, right hand side…Unfortunately Gary had all of a sudden changed into a second right foot and scuffed the shot. Game over, down & out but not disgraced. This was a monumental effort from the team that ultimately come up just short. It is worth noting the timing of the Dara goals being as they were just after half time, the start of extra time and the start of the 2nd half of extra time – food for thought!
A special mention here for Ken & Brad who did not get on today, and have not had the amount of minutes that their dedication and skill deserve. I’m sure I speak for the entire side here when I say hopefully you can more of the playing time you deserve in the coming games.
There is only one more question that needs answering here and that is: Just how many of the player rating will Reeno vociferously disagree with this week?
The spread is set at 3.
Player ratings
Aiden – Distribution was iffy (but pitch had something to do with that), but I counted 3-4 excellent 1 on 1 saves – 8
Sam – See all other ratings – 8
Burg – Colossus. Indefatigable – 8
Reeno – Needs to remove their “semi pro” striker from his pocket. Will be disappointed in himself for the late chances – 8
Adam – Ferocious in the tackle, gave everything - 8
Jim – Excellent assist and I’m sure he will still be sore on Thursday given the yards he covered! – 8.2
Dave – Led by example, gave us the lead – 8.5
Matt – One word: Exemplary – 9
Gary – His best game this season in my opinion – 8.
Ross – They could not get near him. Would have been MOTM if not for Matt’s performance. Even bled for the team! – 8.7
Reiss – Battled hard, things were not quite going for him, stuck at it and got is rewards with the goal – 8.5
Subs
Chinese Guy – Put himself about – 7
Charlie – Struggled to get into the game - 7
