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Old Meadonians IV’s Vs Nottsborough IV’s: W 5-4(AET) Wolfe, J Willis x3, Hilne
WARNING: THIS IS VERY LONG!
Pl: 14 W 13 L 1, the record of Nottsborough’s 4th team after another epic on Saturday afternoon. The 4’s have made a habit out of toppling top teams recently, having beaten 3 teams at the top of their respective tables in our last 3 matches. Saturday though was the biggest of them all. Having won every game they had played so far, we took to the pitch against Nottsborough, which was an absolute stunner, knowing that we would have to play to our best to progress in to the semi final of the cup. We had 14 players after Joe Willis called on Friday asking for a run out, knowing it could and indeed did go to extra time we could see no harm in bringing him along.
The game started very well for us when after 10 minutes Matt was clattered in the box and a penalty was awarded. Joe stepped up confidently, perhaps too confidently, and his penalty went tamely wide of the left post. It was a good thing the match didn’t go to pens as we have missed 3 now this season! Shortly after a mazy run by their talented but absolute **** (you can decide which 4 letter obscenity to ) head of a winger resulted in a free kick right on the edge of the box on the left. A nice ball in combined with our typically crap defending from set-pieces ended in a tap in at the back post, 0-1. After some nice football, which was being played by both sides, a ball up top was knocked on by Joe and Matt ran through and latched onto the bouncing ball to prod it first time past the keeper into the side netting. 1-1. Ash was continuing his fine form after Christmas with another great performance and was ruining his full back. He had a good shot blocked by their keeper after a nice run down the left and he was combining well with the second half of the comedy duo Dave.
We conceded before half time when a mix up at the back saw their winger poke the ball into the back of the net in between Jake and Eric. 1-2. Half time came but we knew we had a slight downhill to come and we were definitely going to get more chances. 10 minutes into the second half and Ash’s run ended in a lovely floated ball into the middle where Joe was on hand to atone for his penalty miss with a nice header, 2-2. We had 3 subs and any captain in the club will know the difficulty in making changes when games are in the balance but changes had to be made. Eric was forced off with cramp with about half an hour left, which saw the impressive Sam switch into the middle and Andy come on at Right back. Andy is one of those consistent players who rarely lets you down and today was no different, but his contribution was going to be even greater later on. Charlie came on for Ash and Foz made yet another return from injury, coming on for Dave. With 12 minutes left Jake had a moment to forget, I apologise Jake for putting it in, a shot was unfortunately fumbled and their striker was on hand to put Nottsborough back in front 2-3.
Immediately we put Andy up top and left 3 at the back. His impact was near enough instantaneous; a ball over the top set him free goal side of the defender and he rampaged towards the by-line. He cut the ball back and Joe was there to put the ball in from 7yards. 3-3 with minutes to go. Andy was immediately sent back to defensive duties, but this was not going to stop our goal threat. A lovely ball from the indomitable Neil, who had held the ball up wonderfully all day, put Joe through on goal and he calmly rounded the keeper to complete his hat trick (he hadn’t scored for 2 years before today). 4-3 with only injury time remaining.
The ref had other ideas though when he let play go on for a good 7/8 minutes once the 90 had passed. Inevitably a set piece was to be our undoing once again when a deep corner was headed well in to the top of the net from 6yards. Extra time it is then…
Deflated but not beaten, we knew we could still score a goal. The referee clearly posted his colours to the mast when he kicked off extra time without Jake even being in his goal yet, when this was pointed out he simply waved play on! We played extra time perfectly. Nottsborough had a lot of possession but never hurt us and we were always capable of the counter attack. We had run our hearts out all day and we were not going to stop now. With time ticking away, the experienced head in our team Kevin made a massive shout when the ball was bouncing out of their box. Matt and someone else stepped aside to let Kev take control. Kev ran in and smashed the bouncing ball, getting over it expertly and the thunderous shot found the back of the net with the keeper only capable of getting weak fingertips to the effort. 5-4…jubilation ensued as we realised we may have snatched it with minutes remaining. Nervy last moments were seen out and after another 20 minutes of stoppage time the ref finally realised he couldn’t add any more time on and the final whistle eventually came.
It was a great performance from the whole team, everyone put in a lot of effort. Sam made numerous big challenges at the back and this was replicated all the way through the team. Onto the Semi final, we now just have to repeat this performance and we’ll be in the final. MOM was close but went to Joe for his hat trick.
Team: J Sierocinski, D Ryan (P Forrest), E Paice (A Sellars) J Sellars, S Morson, K Hilne, D Hough, M Wolfe, A Hamidi (C Sichel), J Willis, N Cooper.
