A fantastic result for the Saints as everyone pulled together to ensure we reached the semi final of the Bunting cup. The day got of to a disastrous start with news that Aaron was unwell and Boots hip was once again causing him pain adding to Lawrence who is out with a knee injury things werent lookin good for the men in black. Things did brighten up a bit tho when Simon pulled out a 20 to amazingly pay of some of his dues, only another 55 to go :). Aaron being Aaron along with Boot decided to give it a go. Boot dropped to sub as Aaron was partnered up front with Winky. It was a cagey start to the game with very few chances the first falling to us on 5 mins with Gazza blazing high over the bar from the edge of the box, 15 mins Aarons shot from inside the box went narrowly wide and Gazza blazing over again on 20, and again on 25 Gazza hit a long range effort wide of the post, 33 mins we got a throw in near the corner flag, Winky took the throw to Gazza who passed it back to Winky who shot with the outside of his boot over the Rangers keeper and into the net, he says he meant it, the jurys out on that one 1-0 Saints, Rangers had a chance to equalise right on half time when they broke into our box, Ryan saving the initial shot the ball then fell to Sheepy who toe poked his effort into the side netting, half time 1-0. We made two changes at the start of the second half when Aaron couldnt continue and was replaced by Boot and Adrian replacing Glenn Balotelli Irvine who was on a yellow and odds on to get another one, on 55 mins Winky hit a volley from near the corner flag which clipped the top of the bar, Rangers equalised a minute later when we failed to clear the ball giving away possession as there striker placed the ball into the corner of the net giving Ryan no chance 1-1, 70 mins Gazza hit a super long ball to Boot who headed back to Geordie to fire over the bar, 2 mins later Gerodie had another effort from the edge of the Rangers box which clipped the outside of the post, 72 mins Winky whipped in a curling corner which there keeper managed to palm to safety, then on 75 mins Boot who had been struggling with injury scored the winner, with his ability he only needs one chance and he took it in style riffling home from the edge of the box to put us 2-1 up, 80 mins the ball fell to Rangers striker Sheepy in the box as he volleyed the ball he looked sure to score only for Gazza to brilliantly head clear of the line, 82 mins Marky from Rangers met a cross with his knee that was heading into the top corner but Ryan produced a magnificent save and push it round the post, 85 mins the ball was crossed into our box again it fell to the Rangers striker on the penalty spot as he delayed his effort Tommy raced across to brilliantly block his shot and clear the ball to safety, we were hanging on as the team defended brilliantly and Boot had chance to seal the win in the last minute when he volleyed from in there box which was tipped over the bar and actually fooled some of our side line as it looked to be in the net, thankfully we held on to book a semi final spot against either Ballysillan or York Road B.
This win keeps our season alive with a spirited performance that we can hopefully take into Tuesday nights fixture against York Road B, a win puts us right back in contention for the league and if we keep playing with the same heart why not why not!!!
