Match report by Simon Atherton
The talking was over and the time to play a game of football had arrived. This was the big occasion that prompted the management of Godfrey and Court to order midweek curfews, instruct the Saturday night bouncers of Nottingham to inform of any known attendees and tell Mothers that for one year only…it wasn’t all about them.
Gale force winds set the precedent for a game that was due to played out between two very strong squads. The early exchanges seemed frantic and nervous without either side being able to string two passes together.
As one spectator noted, “Jesus Christ, they all about seven foot tall”, it was obvious a good start from Plumtree was crucial. Cheered on by a capacity crowd the early blow came. A moment of opportunism saw Sam Buckle latch on to a clearance from Leigh and when faced with just the keeper to beat he coolly hit it right footed past his flailing arm.
The rest of the first half saw a Plumtree side quite literally intent on spoiling their opponents day. A mantra consisting of getting to the ball first, winning every header and making each tackle were epitomised none more so than Matt Court and Paul Thomas. Leaders could be seen in every position and when Chris Kay ( yet again ) rose first to intercept another Rory Delap style throw-in Fat Cats began a period of pressure that called for some desperate defending. A header went inches wide as some of the crowd thought it had sneaked in, Roscoe pulled off a magnificent one handed, finger tip save to trouble the corner statisticians once more and as the seconds moved agonisingly to half time Jon Atkin stood his ground, did his job and nodded a shot off the line and out to safety.
Plumtree had weathered the storm against the winds and proceedings should have been set fair for advancement in the second half.
Although Duncan Hinks and Johnny Rowe were, for the cause, challenging each other for the most coverage award, Plumtree had their first lapse in concentration and it proved costly. A slip up in defence saw Roscoe needing to leave his line and as the ball passed in front of him a Fat Cats player was there to pull the ball back to the six yard line and when faced with an open goal there was no mistake. Fat Cats seemed to be getting the ball on the floor more against the wind and with the scores now at 1-1 this hotly contested semi-final was on a knife edge once more.
Everyone had to step up and with full backs Jon A and Dino snuffing out every threat from the wide areas Plumtree, really for the first time in the game, started to assert themselves. Some creative play on the left side of midfield led to a corner swung in by Rowe. With all others seemingly flat footed Hinks ( Andy Gray-esque ) threw himself at the precision delivery only to see his headed effort crash and rebound off the bar. The photographers clearly decided this game was only going one way as they gathered behind the bright yellow jersey of the fat cats keeper, waiting for the money shot!!
With 25 minutes to go Godfrey turned to the bench with Rowe and Kocacik, having sweated buckets for the lads, being replaced by Atherton and Troy.
Atherton made an immediate impact ( hey, it’s my chuffin report! ). Some nice midfield interchanges led to a ball over the top from the irrepressible Hinks. Faced with a sprint to the bouncing ball Atherton chased it down and in an effort to lob the keeper, careered into the on-rushing goalie whose shoulder just managed to keep the scores at 1-1. Godfrey took the resulting throw-in and following the odd ricochet the ball landed at Matt Court’s feet. Encapsulated in his sterling performance was this one moment of desire and will to win. Having failed with the Cruyff turn and back heel, Court managed to swivel, in what seemed like time had paused, to swing a leg and get every ounce of his frame behind the ball and see it over the line. For a replica version check out Captain Fantastic Robson against Holland in Euro 1988: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49vQgQpg5Hw
Plumtree 2-1 up. From then on it seemed like cruise control for the blues with Troy and Buckle turning on the style and creating more chances for Plumtree. Buckle tested the keeper twice before blazing over a chance that really would have killed the game off.
With 5 minutes left on the clock and with the spectre of extra time still within reach for an opposition only having lost once this season, Buckle was sent clean through for the second time in the game. Panic besieged the centre backs who could see their cup glory going the same way as Gazza’s in 1990. A hack from behind saw Buckle sprawl to the ground and with it came a penalty opportunity to send Plumtree to their first ever cup final.
Omar “The Sure Thing” Kocacik had left the field of play and with no immediate gesture to take up his ever reliable place from the spot, Buckle dusted himself down and placed the ball on the spot. It was Buckle to dare. It was Plumtree who had dared all day long.
As Sam Buckle spun away to celebrate the third goal it was the blues who had confirmed their place in an historic final.
A fantastic team performance with every individual contributing to a deserved win and a new chapter in this great club’s season which continues to go from strength to strength. Man of the Match goes to club legend, veteran and treasurer - a true master of all trades Jon Atkin who at right back had them in his pocket all day.
Well done boys.
