Another match and another fine referring performance from our favourite referee Mr Phil Blundell.
Gresham's were playing away to Ambassadors this week in a rearranged cup game after the snow of the week before. Things didn't start well for the away side as they only had 11 players and this seem to hinder Gresham's all game.
The game was delayed whilst the ref checked and rechecked the match balls and gave a small lecture to the linesman, but we finally got under way. Gresham's seemed to actually forget that the idea of football is pass, move and score and it was no surprise when they finally fell behind. A ball played through the heart of the defence was not dealt with and left Ash exposed. The striker made no mistake with his finish.
After 30mins Gresham's finally started to play and good work from Norfolk and Neve should have resulted in a goal but for the excellent defending from the giant centre half of Ambassadors. A goal finally did come for Gresham's. A corner whipped in by Cashen hit an ambassadors player and flow into the net.
After the goal Gresham's did play a little better but only some great defending by Potter and Cook and the pace of Cashen avoided Gresham going in behind.
Half time 1-1
The second half started in the same manner as the 1st half. Gresham generally playing like a bunch of strangers. However, after soaking up the home teams wave of attacks Gresham's took the lead. A cleared corner fell to Farris who crossed the ball for Potter to score a bullet like header. Gresham then promptly stop playing. As Norfolk, Wythe and Wombwell all fell injured the Gresham side were up against it. However, the back four of Cashen, Wythe, Potter and Cook dealt with anything that the home side could throw at them. As the game ended the finally quarter the ref decided that there was no way that he could allow Gresham's a win.
For the last 20mins of the game as soon as Gresham's took the ball over the half way line the ref found some reason to award Ambassadors a free kick. These "free kicks" became closer and closer to the Gresham's penalty area the closer the game got to 90mins. Farris and Cook got themselves booked out of frustration as the referee gave another "foul" on the edge of the box. This time there was nothing that Bowdler could do. With the wall back 13 yards the keepers sight of the ball was blocked and the home side drew level. In the last few minutes only a brilliant defensive header by Wythe stopped Ambassadors winning the game.
Full time 2-2
After assessing the injuries to most of the team, Gresham's changed things around with Wythe up front with Wombwall dropping into midfield. Extra time started well for Gresham's and after some good work by Wythe and Burton up front a corner was awarded. Farris whipped the ball into the near post and the keeper and the defender on the line got in each others way and the ball went straight in. Gresham's were knocking the ball round much better now and were looking like a side that should go on to score again. Then Mr Blundell brought Ambassadors back into the game. An attack by Ambassadors found their midfield running into the box. Excellent work from Wombwell tracking back managed to catch the attacker and got in a superb challenge clearly winning the ball. However, this was not acceptable for the ref who promptly awarded a penalty. Ambassadors No 9 slammed the penalty against the bar, but another player was quickest to react and scored the rebound.
Both sides were getting frustrated by the over fussy ref and Gresham's, who by this time were scared to tackle anyone were starting to find this very similar to Felixstowe at home a few weeks back. Wythe and Burton both had very good chances to win the game for the away side, but neither chance was on target. In the closing minutes and after more "fouls" committed on the edge of the Gresham's box, Gresham won a thrown in. Cook asked the referee 3 times as to where he should take the thrown in from and was ignored every time, even after being asked by other Gresham's players the ref refused to answer. It was then no surprise to any one when he then awarded a foul throw for Cook taking the thrown in the wrong place!
AET 3-3
The less said about the pens the better. Cashen's daisy cutter was easily saved. Pestell passed the ball to the keeper and Norfolk hit the ball so hard and high its only just landed.
Ambassadors win 3-0 on pens.
