This was it, the Cobras first cup final in their short 4 year history, and we weren’t just there to make up the numbers.
Coming into the game on the back of a good run of form that read something like 1 defeat in 10 meant spirits were high as we arrived at the ground with plenty of chatting and joking around. Once we’d got changed and out onto the pitch we changed the tone to get focussed and at the same time keep the spirits high, we wanted to enjoy the night no matter what.
We lined up for the game in our familiar 4-5-1 formation, which seemed like the best option to try and make the use of a wide pitch. Kemp started at left back with Grace and Buff in the centre, flanked by Lewington at right back. The midfield was made up of Rowett on the left, Rooney Shambrook and Wadhams in the centre and Slater out wide on the right. Siggins played as the lone man up top, which left Newberry and Ilidio on the bench to start. The gameplan was simple; make the use of the pace we possess via Slater, Siggins and Wadhams, whilst remaining tight at the back. In our previous game against the Swifts it was noted that they had a good attacking threat and wide men who liked to take on the full backs. To counteract this we set about aiming to force their wingers outside when they attacked to enable our midfield to come straight back and not get drawn out to the wings and open up space for their players.
It seemed like an eternity until kick off and perhaps it was the long wait that left us looking stiff and slow in the opening period. Take nothing away from the swifts, they had already beaten us 6-1 this season and are a good passing side, but we just didn’t get going in the opening 5 mins. A strong start is what we needed to set the tone and allow us to dictate the play but it was the Swifts who opened the scoring after around 15 mins. For long periods the ball was getting bogged down in the middle and our midfield struggled to launch any attacks as they were being closed down fast and having to drop deep to help out the back 4. This stretched us and Swifts were passing around us whilst we were chasing our tails. The ball was passed across the middle by the Swifts before a ball over the top fed through to their striker who got the jump on Kemp and finished smartly with Grace coming across to cover. One nil down with a long way to go. The goal hadn’t exactly been coming as their forays into our half often got snubbed out by the defence as we had bodies back, but it showed that we were getting stretched too wide and playing too far apart and the ball over the top split our defence. Our heads didn’t go down, and from the restart we set about trying to get an instant reply. Grace was instructed to stick tight on their 10 to try and stop him doubling up with the wingers on our full backs and Rowett and Slater were urged forward. Slater instantly acted and when the ball was fed to him on the right he was hurtling down the flank leaving players in his slipstream. Our attacks were putting them on the backfoot and they struggled to launch counter-attacks, instead opting to play their way up field from the back, giving our midfield time to get back. Siggins was tireless in chasing down their back line when in possession and was forcing errors. They were starting to look uncomfortable. We had some periods in their half over the next 10-15 mins with Rowett a constant outlet on the left and the middle trio playing some nice tight passes in the middle. Unfortunately our resurgence was cut short when Swifts were awarded a penalty. Good play from their tricky winger found him in the box, and although we had chances to get a foot in much before he got there, our players just stood off him and he was then tripped by Rooney. Their man converted the penalty and we were now 2 nil down before half time. Heads dropped but once the words of encouragement started ringing out they were back up. We weren’t backing down, no way, not today mate, this was our time. In the last 15 mins of the half we displayed everything we were lacking in the first 30 mins; commitment, passion, energy and the cutting passes that were opening up their midfield. We had some chances before half time with Wadhams forcing a save and Rooney shaking the bar with a wicked dipping volley from way out. A goal before the break was what we wanted but time was not on our side.
In the dressing room the team cohesion was spot on, no arguing, everyone was on the same page, we just needed to step it up. It was best to forget about the opening half hour, that was in the past, now we had 45 mins to show why we deserved to be here. Slater was withdrawn at half time due to a back injury, unfortunate as he was causing havoc but not surprising as he had been knocked around a fair bit and had put in maximum effort both offensively and defensively. His efforts would tell in the 2nd half when their players looked drained from being Wile.E. Coyete trying to chase the Road Runner. Ilidio came on and was deployed on the left, switching Rowett to more familiar territory on the right.
We came out revved up for the second half and we looked a different side. Swifts were now the ones chasing shadows as Rooney, Wadhams and Shambrook and started making driving runs into opposition territory and Siggins was getting in more and more often. Defensively there was little to cause concern as their 2 wide men were called back to defend, leaving just one man up top on most occasions. We were pushing and the crowd were behind us. We were forcing corners and Wadhams was weaving into the box and getting shots off. The keeper made a good save off his neck/face that stopped a certain goal. Lewington made way for Newberry after also putting in a solid shift. The wingers were a handful and Lewington was fighting hard to keep his man quiet, and it paid dividends as he wasn’t getting into threatening positions for large spells. More pressing saw us winning the ball all over the park and we started committing more players forward. Shambrook showed great awareness and team play by covering the marauding midfield and defence as they pressed on, allowing us to keep our shape and not be too exposed to counter-attacks. Finally our goal came. A cross from the right was met by Wadhams whose looping header beat the keeper. Wild celebrations followed but we weren’t done, we’d only just started. Swifts weren’t getting a look in and instead of looking to play the ball out of defence they seemed happy just to get rid. We still weren’t completely safe though as their strike force are the type of players who can eat up yards and make players dizzy as they dribble, and there were a few occasions where a single player was getting from the halfway line to well within our half, but the energy levels were so high that the whole of the midfield were coming flooding back. As the half matured the work put in by the whole team was showing as several Swifts players were pulling up with cramp. Ilidio was getting the better of his man time and time again, forcing 2 saves from the ‘keeper as he cut onto his right and drilled shots towards goal. Newberry had made an impact too, bombing forward at every opportunity and very much showing that attacking can be the best form of defence. Time was ticking down and Swifts had brought on some fresh legs to try and get a grip back on the game. A long ball over the top eluded our defence and with their striker chasing it down, Ivo came sprinting out to gather the ball. He instantly launched the ball up field into the path of the travelling Wadhams, who saw of the challenges of the defender and got into the box before chipping over the keeper. Get in. A great run and finish from Wadhams started by a good bit of vision from Ivo whose kick had the distance and pace to allow Wadhams to chase onto it. 2-2 with 30 seconds left on the ref’s watch. Comeback complete, extra time looming.
This game was ours for the taking now, but we had to focus, we could still get caught and we’d come too far to throw it all away. It wasn’t long before we took the lead for the first time in the game. Good play from Rowett saw him win possession on the right and dedication saw him get a cross into the area. With only Wadhams in the box surrounded by defenders the odds were against him, but this man was on fire and he leapt to fire a header into the bottom corner. Another fine finish from the hat-trick Hero. Now we really did have to focus as we didn’t want to get carried away and look for more goals as has been the case in previous games. We kept settled though and a couple of good saves from Ivo kept us in it, first diving to smother the smother before the lurking attacking could get in and then a fine reflex save to his left turning the ball out for a corner.
Half time of extra time, 15 mins to hang on and we had to be ready to defend as Swifts would inevitably throw bodies forward. This opened the game up even more though and we were exploiting space and using the ball well and finding players. It wasn’t long before we had a two goal cushion. A ball through to Siggins started him on a run that saw off a challenge and buried the ball in the back of the net. The volume was now turned up to 11 and every person associated with the Cobras was celebrating. Normally a 2 goal cushion would allow us to relax a bit and start playing the ball around but we knew the Swifts are a good side and didn’t want to let up. The last 7 minutes was a defensive one for us with corner after corner. Ivo’s handling was excellent though and he tipped one corner the bar that destined for the top corner. With bodies in the box the ball dropped to a Swifts player whose shot rattled the post and rolled across the goal mouth as we the whole stadium seemed to pause with baited breath. The ball trickled out for a goal kick but out of nowhere the ref gave a penalty. Nobody seems to know what for but there was apparently a foul in the box. There was no point arguing and their striker completed his hat-trick with his 2nd penalty. Squeaky bum time for the last few minutes. Straight from the restart we lost possession and their number 9 weaved his way through 4 or 5 players before Rooney took it upon himself to take him out. Yellow card. The free kick sailed over and now we just had to run down the clock. And we certainly did that, brave play from Ivo saw him get a knock for his troubles as he collected the ball and this was the last action of the game. 4-3 final score.
Overall a fantastic spirited game against probably the best team in the league. We had our moments in the first half, but some of it was more a case of them playing well than us playing bad. The commitment and energy shone through and it was testament to us that their manager even admitted that at 2-0 they still didn’t feel comfortable. Wadhams was the stand out man of the match with a great hat-trick and endless running, but the team performance as a whole was outstanding. Buff didn’t really get a mention in the report, but as been the case this season he was solid in the air, rarely put a foot wrong and kept the back four organised. It’s the simple things that go unnoticed but if he were to stop doing them we would notice straight away. Nothing more could have been asked for from the team and those who came and watched. A fantastic result and great reward for everyone’s hard work.
Now it’s time to press on, with 2 league games left and 2 premier league opponents waiting for us in the cups, the season is by no means over and now we have a taste for cup finals we want more.
Let’s take this result into Sundays game vs SC Birchanger and try and replicate the team spirit and commitment.
SCFC: Division 1 Challange Cup Winners 2011
