Heddon 0-2 Blucher Blue Star Social
MOTM: Mark Richardson
Heddon’s cup campaign came to an abrupt end with a hard fought defeat to North East Sunday League Premier side Blucher. Despite the defeat, Heddon can take heart from the fact that there was little between the sides, bar the quality in the final third when it mattered.
On yet another hot sunny day at Selman Park (no doubt the last before we’re hit by the usual Heddon hurricanes!), both teams attempted to keep the ball down on a slick surface. In the early exchanges it became apparent that Heddon were playing against a side a level up from what we have encountered this season. The movement from the Blucher strikers and midfielders was causing problems, with Waddsy making a couple of fine saves and Connor blocking on the line. At the other end, Heddon were creating chances of their own, with the Blucher keeper making a fine save to deny Sean’s header from close range.
Blucher took the lead on the half hour mark. A long ball was not dealt with, leaving the striker to get between Scoob and Waddsy to smartly lift the ball into the back of the net. The killer blow was dealt a minute before half time, with the second of Blucher’s strikers nodding home well from a corner.
The start of the second half saw a revitalised Heddon side re-enter the field. Almost immediately after the kick off, Murtagh came close to pulling a goal back, after a ball over the top from Dan Ramshaw. Soon after, an even better chance feel to Sean. A surging run by Ross saw him zip a ball across the 6 yard box, with the pace of it causing Sean to miscue (think Gazza at Euro 96 but worse!). Ross came close himself soon after, dragging his shot agonisingly wide of the right hand post. Blucher were still a threat on the counter, and should have made it 3-0 with 5 minutes to go, however their player mishit his shot with the goal at his mercy.
The final whistle blew, leaving feelings of obvious disappointment at the result, however the satisfaction of knowing we can compete at this level. The second half performance in particular was a massive improvement from the Haydon Bridge and Bellingham games, and it is imperative that we take this on into our next game against Ryton.
managers note: shooting practice is needed before the Ryton game!
