Getting into the semi-finals had equalled our previous best in any cup competition, and it was clear straight from the meet up that the whole team wanted to go at least one better and get into the final. Warming up before the game the team spirit was oozing with everyone focussed and a real togetherness amongst the players was evident as we huddled for a pre match brief.
Our previous meetings with SHP had been mixed. At the beginning of the season we scraped a 3-3 draw after being 3-1 down. In that game complacency was our undoing, and we made amends in the second league meeting when we beat them 6-1 without ever really getting into top gear but playing some good football along the way.
We started the same as our last outing, a penalty shoot out victory over Ende Dynamos, to keep some familiarity in the line up and with only having one sub it made sense to have an all rounder on the bench and Rowett fitted the bill, a player with bags of energy who can play anywhere was just what we needed, especially with extra time being a prospect. With Wadhams away for the match the midfield was made up of Slater on the right, Ilidio on the left, with N.Brace, Shambrook and Kemp in the middle, who played the anchor role to help keep the defence settled.
From the off it was clear how much the game meant to us, everyone was talking and encouraging each other. This is a big improvement on some previous games where we've been a bit quiet and have critisised rather than encouraged. SHP looked intimidated and that's the difference a team can make by shouting for headers, clapping each others efforts and not argueing.
Our first five minutes consisted of sensible football, determined tackleing and patient play, just what we needed to set the tone of the game. It wasn't long before the goal we had looked good for came. (There were so many goals in this game the order is a bit of a blur.) A second followed soon after and then we seemed to ease of the gas a bit. There was a 5 minute period where SHP were playing the ball around us and getting into good positions. We'll need to cut this out in our next games as a stronger team could have managed to get a goal or two in that period. This did however wake us back up and once again our voices were dominant and tackles that should have been 50/50 were stacked up 80/20 in our favour just from the belief and passion our players had. Goals 3,4,5,6 came before the break, the pick of the bunch being Grace's first of the season, a long-range drive after a tee-up from N.Brace on a free kick. The shot had bags of pace and blasted into the corner of the goal, great goal. Great vision and a good cross from Lewington was met by Siggins who once again was winning everything in the air and not only chasing lost causes but creating panic amongst the defence. Siggins played a part in the Kemp goal with a long throw in that found it's way to Kemp unmarked at the back post who volleyed home. The reaction showed how much a place in the final meant to him jumping in the air despite the fact it was 4 nil and we were cruising. Ilidio got 2 first half goals, one a penalty after his shot was blocked illegally by a defender in the box. The second was a firm strike from the left that arrowed in.
The second half began and SHP came out looking a different team than the one who had conceeded 6 in the first 45mins. Straight from the kick off they managed to work an opening in our box and won a corner. Again, we just can't switch off, even at 6-0 up we need to be disciplined and ruthless. SHP's rise didn't last long and within 15 mins we had streched to lead to 7. Rowett came on for Ilidio, and we went about trying to keep the momentum going. Slater swicthed to the left wing and that was the cue for him to get the first of his 3 goals with a smart finish. Siggins completed his hattrick with a curling effort from range. Shambrook and Newberry got their names on the scoresheet with a powerfull header from Shambrook and a driving run culminating in a blasted left footer. Again the reaction from him showed how much the game meant. Slater completed his hattrick with the next two goals, one another smart finish and another put onto a plate from Siggins, great team play.
Man of the match could have gone to almost anyone. Ivo had a very quiet morning, but managed to keep focussed to make a couple of fine saves when he was called upon and looked solid again from corners. The defence also had a relatively quiet morning but did the job for the full 90 mins and a clean sheet is reward for that. Lewington is getting his fitness back and adds a composed outlet from defence and a big voice. D.Brace and Grace were solid again, perhaps one or little slip ups along the way but cover was always there and the main thing was the encouragement from other players. Newberry was given liscence to roam forward as there was very little threat coming from their right, obviously against a stronger team the marauding runs would be more limited. In the middle Kemp screened the defence well and kept the shape well by covering advancing defenders. Shambrook and N.Brace were playing some fantastic football through the middle with some great little touches and one-twos and defensively not much got past them. Ilidio had a strong game and gave us width on the left and was always looking to beat his man and get a ball in, good wing play. On the other flank Slater was getting back to the form he had before injury and work absence. His 3 goals show his goal threat, he could possibly had more with a couple of penalty shouts being turned down. Siggins did the job up top, doing exactly what a lone striker should. Winning everything in the air and chasing down defenders added pressure to a shaky back four and his hold up play allowed Ilidio, Slater and Rowett the opportunity to advance into good positions.
Overall a great performance against what was a poor side, yet you don't score 12 goals against any team by plying poorly, and we certainly didn't. We had good pace in our play and that is how we should play. We have a team of players who are good on the ball and when we pass it around we can walk round teams. Prime example of this was the way Shambrook and N.Brace were using the ball in the middle, great one and two touch football. The key to this tactic working is movement and people getting into positions to recieve a pass and this again we did well.
We must however be more focussed when we are in the lead, how many times have we scored first and then the opposition has got a goal back within minutes.
Next game we're back to league action and still need points to cement our position. The final is a great thing to look forwad to, but we need to keep focussed on every game until then. Well done everyone.
SCFC
