This was the last match of the season for the Knights, and every player appeared up for the challenge, and right from the off, the Knights attacked, with Doel and Holloway leading the way. The Cardinals defence held strong, forcing the ball into touch; Komboni took, sending the ball high into the Cardinals penalty area, Holloway reacted first, heading the ball just wide of the post. Moments later, the Knights were attacking again, and again the Cardinals held their ground but this time conceding a corner. Holloway took, firing the ball into the danger zone, Courtnage pounced but his effort went over the bar, a near miss for the Knights. The Cardinals then rallied, forcing the play deep into the Knights half of the pitch; but the defensive line-up of Blackbourn, Choularton and Komboni combined well to stop this promising Cardinals attack. The Cardinals again struck forward, and being awarded a throw-in; quickly taken Komboni saw the danger and released Holloway. Holloway raced down the wing, skipped past a few challenges before winning a corner; Holloway again fired in a good powerful cross, but a Cardinal defender bravely got in the way and deflected it behind the goal for another corner. The Cardinals then pulled together and by launching a long ball forward appeared to catch the Knights unawares, but the speed of Choularton soon put pay to this attack. The Knights then mounted their strongest attack yet; Komboni, Choularton, Doel and Holloway passed the ball around, working their way up-field until Holloway floated the ball across to Courtnage; Courtnage fired goal-ward, but his shot bounced off the cross-bar, allowing the Cardinals to clear this danger away. As the Knights kept the pressure building, a free-kick was awarded for a late challenge; Holloway struck the free-kick with force, bringing out a good save by the Cardinals keeper. As the half was drawing to a close, the Cardinals fought their way forward, and from a well taken throw-in, an attacker was able to turn and shoot; Tadd, the Knights keeper was alert, saving this goal-bound effort. The Knights then edged their way towards the Cardinals goal, but a well timed tackle saw the ball, and 2 Cardinal players, running towards the Knights goal. Blackbourn stood firm, which only allowed the attacker to shoot from range, which he did; bringing off another save by Tadd. As Tadd released the ball to Choularton, his pass was deflected for a throw-in; taken by Komboni, which gave Holloway a slim opportunity to shoot, which he took, but his neat flick went wide. Now with only seconds remaining, the Cardinals won a corner; as the ball was floated in Tadd punched it clear, but it dropped kindly to the feet of another Cardinal attacker. He aimed and fired goal-ward, but again Tadd managed to punch the ball away and Komboni cleared up-field.
As the 2nd half got underway, Choularton feed the ball to Hooper, he in turn found Powell who skipped past a defender before releasing Holloway. Holloway settled himself before striking a powerful shot goal-ward, which brought off a good save by the Cardinals keeper, stopping what looked like a certain goal. Komboni collected the ball from a Cardinals clearance, passing to Doel, setting him off, on-route towards goal; Doel eased forward before finding Holloway, whose effort was deflected for a corner; Holloway floated the corner straight to Courtnage, who struck for goal, but the post came to the Cardinals rescue. From a high drop kick by Tadd, Courtnage was able to control the ball and bear down towards the Cardinals goal, he took aim and let fly, but this effort went wide. Powell and Hooper then combined to move the ball forward, quickly releasing Holloway, but again the Cardinals defended well, but at the expense of a corner. Holloway curled the ball goal-ward, there were players everywhere, but the Cardinals held on and eased the ball to safety. The Cardinals kept their heads during another Knights attack, and this time they manage to escape into the Knights half; with the ball moving freely between their attackers, a shooting opportunity soon arose. As the Cardinals attacker let fly, Tadd reacted quickly, safely gathering the ball before releasing Powell along the wing. Powell moved away from the Cardinals defence, allowing Holloway some space; with quick feet he slotted the ball to Holloway, who fiercely struck the ball towards goal; the ball took a deflection and went harmlessly wide of the post. As Holloway fired in the corner, Doel throw himself at the ball, but due to the power of Holloway’s cross, Doel took the full force of the shoot in the chest, knocking him to the ground; however, he quickly recovered to continue the match. Now as time was running out, the Knights again forced the play, with Holloway, Powell and Doel leading the way; Doel collected the ball and raced down the wing, cutting inside to try for goal, but this time his effort was high over the bar. With the Knights still attacking the final whistle blew, and I was amazed that this match ended goalless; both teams had their chances but it was not meant to be, all that remained now was who would be man of the match. The Manager felt that Tadd, the Knights keeper performed above average in this match, remaining focused throughout and taking control of his area; therefore, he awarded him the trophy.
