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AFA Minor Cup, Semi Final
Old Meadonians 4s v Broomfield 4s
W 4-1 (D Hough 2, G Mayou, E Paice)
After some very poor league performances in recent weeks, the mighty Meads 4s were thankful for the return of the cup fixture especially as this was the semi final. The AFA cup has given us some absolute classic victories that contained everything cup games should do. We expected more of the same this week – everyone was ready to shed some blood, sweat and tears (of happiness – hopefully!).
The inspirational manager/captain, Matt Wolfe was deemed unavailable for this important game. Unnamed sources claim he disappeared to the slopes for a skiing holiday. Questions began being raised about his commitment via the media. Did he have a falling out with assistant manager Jake or were the recent poor league performances beginning to take a toll on this capable but emotional manager?!!
In the press conference the evening before, both Jake and vice captain, Kev denied these rumours saying they would rather concentrate on the task in front of them but everyone present could hear the signs of discomfort in their voices.
Along with Matt, a handful of key players were unavailable for selection, however, the mighty Meads squad still looked strong coming into the game and you could see by every players’ demeanour that they were all confident.
The match kicked off and the opening minutes did not live up to the pre match hype – it was quite a stale affair with both teams trying to get rid of their nerves. Some scrappy passing and no real chances being created. After 15 minutes the game began to open up, Mikey D and Joe looked dangerous on the flanks and Dave Hough began to take influence in the middle of the park. The Meads back 4 seemed to have Broomfield’s tricky attackers in their pocket right up until the opposition hit us on the counter attack – their striker went wide with the ball, crossed it in hoping one of his team mates had caught up with him, Jake was anticipating the ball when all of a sudden the ball slide of Eric’s chest and into the back of the net. What a nightmare start!!!!
The Meads players’ heads certainly did not drop knowing that there was enough fire power to get goals. An equalising reply was almost immediate when George was played through to have a one on one with the keeper, he dinked it over him and got the ball to his feet with the goal wide open from about 20 yards, he side footed his shot coolly towards goal only for the ball to hit the post and come back out! Was this going to that sort of day for the boys in claret and blue?!!!
Meads carried on with the pressure and began to take control of the game, they certainly looked like the team mostly likely to score other than the couple of chances Broomfield had gifted by Jake’s awful kicking but the big hairy oath reprieved himself by saving one of them.
Then came the inspirational 5 minutes, in which the mighty Meads pretty much killed the game off. Dave Hough equalised after Joe took on and beat a couple of players from the left, cutting in and taking a shot straight at the keeper, the rebound fell to Dave who side footed a wonderful strike to the top left hand corner. An important goal that gave the Meads team the belief that they could go onto the final.
Literally, 2 minutes later, Mikey D got the ball on the half way line, Dave H broke forward and was slotted the ball into his path, a sublime cross was converted beautifully by George (I think that may have been the only shot of 100 that he actually got on target that day!!).
Then almost immediately, Meads won the ball back and a beautiful combination by Dave Ryan and Joe on the left, saw Dave Ryan cross the ball in straight to Dave Hough’s feet for him to hit under the diving keeper to make it 3-1.
A stunning 5 minutes goal barrage from Meads put them in a commanding lead at half time. Confidence was oozing in the changing room but Kev demanded concentration from the team, not to concede was vitally important.
The 2nd half was comfortable to say the least for the mighty Meads team – chances were created but not converted. Dave Hough came off 5 minutes in, replaced by the young talent of Charlie Sichel who went on to have an amazing game, not only looking dangerous going forward but also defensively motivated to win the ball back when the team lost possession. Critics claim that he maybe a future first team star if he plays like this week in week out.
Defensively the team were brilliant – all season long we have lost leads but today there was no sign of this weakness at all. Eric, the Sellars brothers and Dave Ryan were brilliant as a unit and frustrated the attack of the opposition. The crowd felt that one more goal would kill the opposition off and they had to wait until the last minute of the game when a superb taken corner from Charlie saw Eric knee it in from 2 yards out – 4-1 and the mighty Meads had booked their place in the final of the AFA Minor Cup.
At the post match conference there was still no sign of Matt Wolfe, journalists expected the board to announce the news of his departure from the position of manager especially as fans began to chant the name of Jake Sierocinski, but none was given.
I would advise you to keep a look out on Sky Sports News for any updates that may arise…
MOM – Dave Hough (his inspirational role to put Meads 3-1 up in the space of 5 minutes drew heavy similarities to Cesc’s role in the 3-0 win against Villa earlier in the season).
Well done lads, let’s make sure we win it now as we have got all this way.
Team: J Sierocinski, A Sellars, J Sellars, E Paice, D Ryan (D Reading), K Hilne, D Hough (C Sichel), N Cooper, M Dermott (O Matthews), J Willis, G Mayou
