The morning of the Belvederes biggest game so far in their short history was a bit of a shambolic one by any pub teams standards. They arrived not only without any footballs to warm up with but also with only ten men! Mr Dulston could not believe he had been so badly let down by his lads for such an important game for the club. That said the club utility man Karl Petford made a sacrifice of one of his many mornings off to step in at the last minute to bring the squad to 11. With one of the league’s top scorers Ashley Hine out through injury the belvedere welcomed back the industrious Pat Bryan into the side. With Matt Mercer and Lewis Attree turning up late both still tipsy and dean Hoey failing to show up at all the belvedere boys were not in best condition to face a strong Sailors side.
The sailors also had problems with their squad but of a different variety, when too many of their players were not eligible to play in the match due to the cup rules.
Calvin Day taking charge of this important contest finally got the game under way in cold windy conditions. Both sides started nervously knowing a place in the final was up for grabs and a long ball battle ensued between the two defences to see who could kick the furthest, the Sailors seemed to be winning this battle getting joy down their right flank but after a while Belvedere tried to get the ball down and started having the better of the ball when it was down on the deck. Campbell-bell wasted a few crossing oppurtinities with sloppy freekicks and Rawlings and Collins both over hitting when looking for that finale through ball. Then on the 20 minute mark a corner from Campbell-Bell picked out the darting run to near post of Andy Dixon who with the goal infront of him only managed to glance his header sideward where it found Collins, who made no mistake and smashed home for 1-0.
After the goal the Belvedere continued to try and get there game going but with no real composure on the ball knowing what was at stake and the Sailors lumping balls forward there was a stalemate for the next ten minutes with the play from both sides. It eventually took a long throw on the Sailors left flank into the Belvedere box which was flicked on to the back post where Belve’s Howard was left flat footed and beaten by the Sailors midfielder to head in a deserved equaliser.1-1. Both teams now having had a taste for the game went into the break allsquare knowing it was all to play for in the second half.
The second half started with Belvedere fired up, there was some great tackling by Dixon and Sowerby at the heart of the defence, but with Dixon only at 80% fitness Dulston had to make the introduction of the unpredictable Matty Mercer who had only got in from his night out a few hours before hand! With the change made Belvedere continued to soaked up the Sailors pressure and hit on the counter attack. A good cross from Pat on the left found Collins with only the simplest of tap-ins from two yards but the winger impossibly seemed to mash the ball straight up into the air and over the bar to sailors relief. Finally the next attack from Belverdere led to the ball being flicked backward by a unsuspecting Sailors defender straight to the lurking Pat Byran who calmly and delicately half volleyed the ball over the out rushing Sailors GK lobbing him for 2-1. It really was a weight off the shoulders for the boys now as they could sense victory was theirs but with that the Sailors broke down the centre of the pitch and but for a great sliding last ditch tackle by Terry Hoey he surely would have scored. The Belvedere Boys could see the game was theirs for the taking now, with ross Mackenzie and Campbell-bell sitting in midfield it allowed the marauding Rawlings to burst forward with some neat play with Collins and Pat he found himself in the box and he calmly placed the ball past the keeper 3-1. Then with five minutes remaining a freekick from Sowerby found Pat Bryan to head home to make it 4-1.
After all of the players came together to fight for each other and everyone played their part in today’s game the Belvedere side in the end ran out deserved winners and now through to the final where they will face Portland Town. Confidence now surely on a high, bring on the next league game but it will leave a big selection dilemma for Dulston after the lads who let the team down will need to make a mends.
Managers Comments
“ After an uncertain Start the lads really pulled it out of the bag. The performance showed the skill and consistency that will beat any team. I am very proud of everybody who played today. The only thing I must critise is those who let the team down today, by not showing up on time. We are a team and need to realise that our actions affect others.”
“Congratulations we are off to a final, let’s start believing in ourselves boys …Up the Belve!!”
