Our cup campaign began against our league rivals today, Stanford Wanderers, who like us are on a great run and are unbeaten this season. With those stats it was always going to be a close match. We began well and were unlucky not to take the lead in the 6th minute when Ryan hit a blistering shot following a good flowing move. We were breaking fast and showed some very good swift movement on and off the ball. Stanford struggled to contain us, and were soon resorting to fouls in order to break our play up. This worked as we started to get frustrated and forgot about our pass and move football that had done us so proud last week. Stanford managed to breach our defence but were kept out by the in form Tyler who once again stopped everything fired at him. Another Stanford shot was parried by Tyler and was followed up by the striker and looked goal bound until Gerald made a great goal line clearance. Then came the controversial moment of the first half........ A goal mouth scramble in our area, legs flying everywhere, the ball bouncing around, Taylor lunged for the ball, making slight contact on the ball but taking their striker at the same time! Penalty! at least thats what it looked like, but no, a corner.... PHEW!! Stanfords manager and supporters were jumping up and down in disbelief. For the first time in a long while a ref's decision going our way! (I think we all knew we had got away with that one). We had to regroup and fast, we looked ragged and out of shape. Half time came at just the right time. H/T 0-0
The second half (after a good talking to at half time) began with much better form. We were displaying signs of a much more positive attitude and seemed to have found some of our fire. Sam had stepped into his defensive role and started barking orders out and rallied the troops!! Stanford never really seemed to get going, and their frustration was evident, when their "Stars Players" were well marked and never got any time on the ball. This resulted in an early bath for one of them who was booked and then subbed for descent. They obviously felt the ref was against them with shouts of "You are not going to get any decisions boys" from the the manager. Our domination of the second half was rewarded when we was given a free kick 30 yards out, Brad, as he so often does, fired in a cracking direct free kick!! 1-0 and our tails were up. Just 2 minutes after taking the lead our second goal came, when a missile of a throw from Gerald, bounced through the 6 yard box towards Callum, who looked like he had missed the opportunity. However, from a tight angle, he smashed it into the top corner. 2-0. Stanford were now a beaten team and we were looking like we could score from every attack. Jack was rewared for hard work, when he hit a sweet left foot volley on the turn into the roof of the net. 3-0. He was unlucky not to make it 4-0 when after a great team move he found himself, in space in the area, and looked likely to get a shot off only for the ball to be trapped under his feet making a shot impossible. With the crowd screaming with excitement and anticpation (not realising Jack's predicament) one voice who should remain nameless, but won't, cried out "What ya doing Jack, waiting for the goalie to fall on his arse?" (said his mum!!). This lead to neither team adding to the score line and the game ended 3-0. Well done lads another great Sunday morning. Quotes from parents: Kay "ON WE ROLL" (sorry Kay we pinched that one) Maria Rogers - see above!
