Saturday 21st April will go down in Sharpshooters History.... the day we made it to our first cup final..... "THIS WAS OUR TIME!"
The talk all week had been of the semi... how would we play, what shooters team would turn up, weere we strong enough. Only time would tell.
We all met early at penine way and it was a beautiful spring day... with a threat of some downpours would the weather reflect our moods ? With a full Squad AGAIN and some noticable players missing the mood in the Changing rooms was boyant (Well i say Changing Rooms, what i mean is the BAR - never before have we got changed in a BAR)
We took the field for our warm up and pre match ritual. The supporters started gathering and were in full voice.. what a great turn out THANKS
We got together for Fraser to give his pre match speech and WOW it was a speech.. some of the boys dozing off half way through his film quotes and 6 pages of inspirational words.. would it work were we up for it a good start a must....
Right Off We go the ref blows and we start. A few strong tackles in the middle and a couple of minutes of battling. The ball is cleared for a shooters throw. The ball is launched in and makes its way to bavs on the edge of the box..... He swings a leg at it and BANG its in the bottom corner.
2 Mins 1 0 Shooters
After 14 years and 1200 games finally Mr Carl Bavington Gets his first career Goal and what a goal it way... a shin roller past 4 defenders and a helpless keeper. GREAT START
How could we react to going ahead could we keep it tight. For the next 20 mins we pushed our midfield on and kept battling... there was very little flowing football from both sides and we were restricted to a few long range shots from Warren a rather lonely figure.
We however looked okay at the back.. they were winning a few headers and we needed to step it up BUT the break came a long ball through andy and rob and hoody failed to clear and there striker bundled it into the net.. SUCH A DISSAPOINTMENT
25 Mins 1 1
Time for us to stand up and be strong... would we... could we do it. We got to half time a little limp if i have to say. No football from us but then again nothing from Gadebridge either. I think i remmeber 2 saves from an Ever inproving Warren in the shooters Goal.
With a new formation we had 5 in midfield with Bavs pushing Matty and Louis on ensuring they didnt play football in front of us.
Half time came and we made the change - nothing was coming through the gadebridge midfield so we reverted back to our 4 4 2 formation alllowing Warren to get some support from Nick
Half Time team talk was of more of the Same, Andy and Rob told to get tighter in the air Hoody and Luke to continue with their work.
The second half started brightly for the shooters with the first 10 mins of fooball throughout the game. Some sweet 1 2s between lee nick and louis released warren for a low shot into the trees. We had squeezed on and the pressure of 4 4 2 was working.. could we break through.
Another nice passage of play released matty and we won a corner. A lovely cross from Lee was met at the front post but was cleared of the line.. we had turned screw could we make it pay
It would prove to be the last straw for Lee who pulled a calf off ya come son well battled
60 Mins Creaser 4 Lee - No pressure son in you go
Again we came a ball through the middle for the onrushing warren and REF HANDBALL SURELY.... YES hes given it............
Time for nerves.... pressure pen..... Warren had been told before the game THEIR YOURS
After offering the ref to place the ball to which he refused Warren placed the ball and THUMPED it into the bottom left hand corner... KEEPER NO CHANCE DIDNT EVEN MOVE
65 Mins 2 1 Shooters
Now for the nerves the pressure the passion. And didnt we show it. We reverted back to 4 5 1 maybe a little early as we brought on the pressure. The long ball kept coming 1 after the other but the back four of Hoody Andy Rob and Luke were awesome Closely followed by Louis Bavs and Matty in midfield battling and battling.
Hoodys legs had gone so was replaced on 80 mins by hease. What a game to be thrown into the mix... big game
The next 5 mins took FOREVER my nails had gone i was strolling i even went over the otherside of the pitch to get away from it all for a min. We kept battling and won the ball taking throws into the corner and doing the wasting time thing..... there was a last chance for Gadebridge which brought a MATCH WINING SAVE from Warren... superb superb superb Great save and commanding his box in the last 10 mins.
FINALLY PEEP PEEP PEEP the whistle went and we had done it... the team went crazy group hug on the centre spot.. What a feeling...
Bavs Scoring, Shooters getting to a final what a day............... ROLL ON THE FINAL
Wednesday 2nd May - 19.45 - Hemel Town Vauxhall Road - ADD TO DIARY
