Heddon's Greatest Comeback!
Was this a different team that played compared to Sunday? As Dan would say, were the team that played Sunday Holograms?
Despite being 2-0 down and then 3-1 down with 15 minutes to go, we somehow managed to find a way to win a semi-final in normal time! The team that played tonight showed a grit and determination that was an absolute pleasure to watch. We stood up to the fight and tried to play our football, players gave absolutely everything they had and were on their feet at the end with most carrying injuries that would normally have seen then been substituted.
A change to the usual formation and playing 4-2-3-1 in an attempt to get more solid didn’t work as Hexham were pulling the strings in the opening twenty, their first goal coming through the centre of the pitch in a hole that 1700 London buses could have filled. Their second was much similar I would think but I can’t remember it.
Despite being 2 down heddon still tried to pass the ball and with ballaz's suggestion to put Ramma as sweeper in the first half proved pivotal as the change made us look much more solid after conceding the second. A great call big man!
Heddon got one back with a lovely team moved finished off with aplomb by Mr Walker who rifled the ball into the top corner from a narrow angle. With the help of Joe (cheers dude!) and then Waddsy and a fine rear-guard effort we only conceded one more when someone (who was it by the way - £10 fine for that?) managed to lose his man for a free header. 3-1 but we could have easily score on a couple of chances as well - ATTACK THE BALL AT SET PLAYS LADS!
Half time came and went and the pattern of the game didn’t change, with Ramma reverting to centre half and Burnie, on one leg, playing in centre mid. That said, Wadds produce one great save and a couple of one on ones but I always felt relatively comfortable, we just couldn’t get out.
that changed when with 15 left, Richy changed the game. Chasing down a lost cause he deflected a clearance from about 35 yards out into the Hexham net - game on! After that we grew in confidence and quickly equaliser when Wadds pinged a long ball to Dan who, calm under pressure slotted home for 3-3.
By this point some of their legs defensively may have went and another long ball from Wadds for Murta to latch onto and he used his pace to expertly finish pass the keeper one on one under pressure.
They then bombarded our goal with long balls and despite one offside goal and a couple of nice saves from Wadds we managed to see off injury time and claim and unlikely win!
We finished with lads who couldn’t walk let alone run and a black eye for Ross after putting everything in for the cause - thank goodness it didn’t go to extra time!
An improbable win but a deserved one. Things went our way because we had 100% commitment and never gave up. The real Heddon came out today, no idea who those imposters were on Sunday.
Too manay superb performers to single out anyone, thats how it should be every week!
We'll need to do the same again against a very good Haltwhitle Jubilee team in the final if we are to win it.
