When you get to a semi-final of any competition the performance and style of play is immaterial it is just all about getting the result. This game won’t stay long in the memory too the 100 plus crowd who witnessed it however they will probably remember two things. Firstly the outstanding performance of the Shotton Comrades goalkeeper Phil Murphy who produced a number of truly magnificent saves and secondly the wonderful goal scored by Craig Coates which decided the contest.
Now to the game itself which was played on a mild Sunday morning with very little wind. The pitch itself again was poor and it is stopping us playing the kind of football we want to because it is so bumpy and is in dire need of a good roll to flatten it out. It was clear early on from the physical size of the Shotton players and the strikers in particular that Shotton were going to be direct in their style of play.
Sacriston started well without really creating too many chances and the biggest feature of our first half play was the lack of a good set piece taker.We wasted several good opportunities from set plays because we didn’t deliver the ball into any dangerous areas and we didn’t test the Shotton keeper enough.During the first half Shotton showed very little in the final third and apart from the odd flick on in and around the box didn’t create one significant chance to score from open play.
Sacriston’s first big chance of the game came on 25 minutes when a ball from the right came across the box to Gavin McCormack who found himself in a great shooting position 12 yards out and he took the shot first time but the Shotton keeper did well to stick a leg out and keep the ball out of the goal.
Then on 40 minutes Greg Coates did well to wrestle clear of his marker and the ball dropped nicely for him to hit on the volley first time right footed but the Shotton keeper did well to make a good save.
The game burst into life on the stroke of half time when Andrew Solan did brilliantly to win 3 hard tackles in one piece of play just ploughing his way through up the field. All the tackles were hard but fair and Solan won the ball on each occasion but this did lead to a brief unsavoury moment between the teams as Shotton didn’t seem to take too kindly to Solan’s style of play which in all honesty they could have no complaints with. The referee sensibly blew the half time whistle shortly afterwards. However I must stress that this game was played in a fair and competitive spirit throughout.
Half time came and went and the start of the 2nd half wasn’t producing much in the way of chances so on 55 minutes Craig Coates replaced Greg Coates and his movement immediately caused the Shotton defenders some new problems.James Thornton replaced Andrew Collinson on 62 minutes and he got into the game straight away taking a free kick with his first touch which was put into a testing area but Shotton did get the ball clear. Thornton had an excellent game putting himself about everywhere and his calm passing kept the team ticking over.
The next big chance for Sacriston arrived on 74 minutes when the ball was bobbling about in the box and Sean Gregory hit his shot on the turn which was deflected up onto and over the crossbar.
Jacob Horner replaced John Harrison on 81 minutes and he gave the team good energy playing on both wings whilst on the field. The next big chance of the game fell Sacriston’s way on 83 minutes when Anthony Ward’s brilliant right wing and cross found Gavin McCormack at the back post who got up early to head for goal but just put it wide it looked for all the world it was going to be the moment.
Apart from the occasional set piece Shotton never threatened the Sacriston goal until the last 5 minutes then from a scuffed corner kick the ball rolled along the floor and hit the near post. Then 2 minutes later Shotton got into a good position counter attacking well which resulted in a fierce shot from the right hand side of the box which almost certainly would have gone in but for Grant Boyd’s brilliant block. This was the only time in the game that I felt worried because it was so close to the end of normal time.
Then in the last minute Sacriston had one final attack which resulted in one almighty goalmouth scramble from which we had 4 shots in a row saved by the Shotton goalkeeper. It all happened so quickly that I can’t recall who shot where and when but the keeper just kept getting in the way it was truly heroic stuff by him and so frustrating for us because that would have been the winner and no extra time.
The whistle for normal time went shortly after that incident and although we hadn’t scored we were so on top that we felt we had to score plus we had fresh legs on the field. Gary Draper replaced Gavin McCormack at the start of extra time and Stuart Fenton came on for Andrew Solan on 94 minutes who was suffering from cramp.
Sacriston dominated the early part of extra time and then finally on 100 minutes the magic moment arrived, Gary Draper played a fantastic ball through to Craig Coates who instantly controlled the ball before taking it nearer the goal and as the Shotton keeper advanced Coates cleverly chipped the ball over him with the inside of his left foot and into the net. It was no more than Sacriston had deserved. Coates a minute later found himself in exactly the same position but with more time on his hands with this chance he did everything right opened up his body to get the ball on to his favoured right foot then just before striking the ball it took a massive bobble resulting in Coates skewing his shot wide.
Two more substitutions were required in the final stages with Gregory and Thornton giving way for Harrison and Collinson to return. Sacriston saw out the remaining time expertly with Craig Coates manipulating the ball superbly in the corner for large periods of time to run down the clock which eventually saw us through to a 1-0 victory.
Shotton never gave up right until the end but in all honesty Sacriston should have won this game much more comfortably and would have done if it hadn’t have been for the excellent Murphy in the Shotton goal. Sacriston never stopped trying to create chances all game and although with better finishing we would have won easier I think it did help focus the teams mindset knowing we had to concentrate right until the end with only a slender one goal advantage. The attitude and work rate of all Sacriston players during the match was fantastic showing an unbelievable desire to win which I as manager of the club was very proud off. The support shown by the locals for the team was there for all to see and I thank each and every one of them and this I am sure helped when the going got tough in extra time.
Craig Coates was the difference and although he openly said he didn’t want to take any of the lads’ places who had got us to that semi-final I don’t think anybody can question the value he brings to the side. His attitude and professional way of keeping the ball was invaluable to the team getting over the line and for the rest of the team to learn from. The best form of coaching is demonstration sometimes.
The whole team played well but Rob Draper was man of the match the man was just everywhere and with him in defence alongside Danny O’Brien we never looked like conceding a goal. Every time that Shotton got close to our goal Rob would just come along and take the ball and then start attacks from deep. Well done lads we now have a final to look forward to sometime in May.
