UEA had an important 4th round Primary Cup game and wanted to ensure they kept their cup run going strong. The boys seemed up for the game and wanted to not just win it convincingly but play with their usual panache.
UEA started strongly keeping possession in the early stages, a strong link up from Renvoize and Latta down the left earned UEA a penalty from a very suspect handball in the first twenty minutes. Renvoize stepped up to smash home and earn UEA a 1-0 lead. Something seemed to click in UEA's heads and players switched off very quickly with an "here we go again" attitude. Before too long Rampant Horse had a very lucky break and an extremely messy goal mouth scramble coupled with some poor defending lead to the Horse FC striker slotting home from 6 yards. This still didnt give UEA the kick up the backside they needed and before half time the Horse FC striker again found himself in some space and slotted home with power from long range leaving Vosper with no chance. UEA couldn't seem to get their foot on the ball and control the game like usual - despite the valliant efforts from the new midfield duo O'Brien and Marsden. Even though things were not going UEA's way the whole team kept on working hard and battling to win the ball. Chance after chance fell to the 3's before half time and no one could seem to convert a goal from open play. UEA seemed to be missing a touch of class in the final third this coupled with some very static players when the ball was actually in and around the box didn't help UEA's cause.
By half time the players knew that they had 45 minutes to save their cup run and repeat the glory achieved last year under James Nolan. Sturn words from Renvoize and Gumbura seemed to give UEA the boost they needed. UEA came out of the blocks at one hundred miles an hour and seemed to have rekindled their passion and desire to win the game. It didnt take long before UEA equallised. A wicked ball in from Musselwhite found Hanson in the box for him to nearly miss the chance, luckily the ball found the side netting and left the keeper motionless. This was the exact luck UEA needed to get the ball rolling again, the boys grew in confidence, grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and began to take charge. Some good possession and hard work from the whole team soon lead to another corner. Stirk whipped the ball in and a quick lay off from Alif found the beautiful left foot of Nickels. Time seemed to pass in slow motion as the ball left his foot, will it, wont it? Only for the UEA players to errupt in jubilation as the ball found the top left hand corner of the net, an extremely classy finish put UEA in firm charge of the game. Despite this Rampant Horse still had one last chance and a comical defensive mix up from Stirk and Vosper at the back looked dangerous, only for Vosper to dive at the Horse FC's strikers feet and collect the ball bravely. UEA were not in the clear yet, another goal was a must to put the game to bed. Thankfully the Horse FC players began to tire and O'Brien poped up at the edge of the box to slot home the 6th goal of the game. Musselwhite was thanking his lucky stars that some of his poor finishing did not cost UEA too dearly, one of his efforts was so poor even the ref was laughing.
Despite this the boys responded well at half time and showed their desire and class to bounce back when it really matterd. Renvoize returned home a very happy captain and hopefully UEA can now push on with their new found confidence to repeat the double like last year.
