On Sunday we found ourselves playing what could possibly be the most important and hardest game of this season, the Cup Semi-Final against Witchford. The conditions were perfect, sunny with a mild wind and even the pitch was soft enough to take a stud but not wet enough to slip under foot. PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have encountered Witchford in previous seasons and we know from experience that they are a good, strong and extremely pushy side. On top of this they are also experiencing incredible form this season. They current sit at the top of the B league with 10 wins and only 1 loss under their belt. Today had to be hard and I don’t think any of us expected anything else.
The game started 24 hours early for me with some last minute shopping. I thought as it was a big occasion that I would try and push the boat out a little and instead of our usual pitch side water our half time refreshments should include energy drinks and good old fashioned oranges. After my shopping I arrived home and without any intention my thought process kicked in and I started to live the semi-final in my head. Plan A, Plan B & Plan C came and went and by the time I finally went to bed at 12:45am we were back to a standard 4-4-2. I adjusted my clock and at the new time of 1:45am I nervously set my alarm for 6 am. Sleep did not seem to be on my agenda because every time I shut my eyes we played the semi-final, now I lived the semi-final last night 4 times and at no point did we win. We had a variety of situation all of which ended with us being physically and mentally battered and defeated by a minimum of 12 goals. I rose at 6am to start to prepare the oranges and hopefully myself for what was to be a truly memorable day.
I arrived at the pitch to set up at 7am; probably a little early but I will blame that on being nervous.
Everything was in place and completed for 8.30am. I had planned to take the morning slow and relaxed………No such luck, I was now worried that if I was as nervous as this then the boys would be in tatters.
There was no need to worry, as the boys turned up I checked with them all how they felt and only one was feeling any pressure. There was even a comment “Why should I be nervous it’s only another game of football”. We prepared ourselves and warmed up as usual but I had decided to iron out our poor form in the first 15 minutes of the game with a pre-game of 7 a side football in order to hit the game running. After we had finished I then thought, had this been a bad move and would our legs last a possible 120 minutes of football if the match went to extra time.
The game started with us winning the toss and electing to play into the wind. As planned we stated the game running and unbelievably we were immediately on the attack; in the first 5 minutes of football Witchford hardily entered our half. Maybe my pre match nerves and sleepless dreams had been for nothing…………and then it happened; in the 9th minute and on possibly Witchfords first attacking run a floating ball was delivered from the right wing and easily put in the back of the net by an unmarked player. My first thoughts was “Oh here we go, how many more, that was too easy” sort of thing. I could not have been more wrong, immediately from the kick off we were pressing them again and had replied in full by the 13th minute……Ozz fired Will forwarded with a lovely placed pass to leave him one on one with the keeper. Will calmly slotted our equalizer away. 1 – 1 and suddenly Witchford realised that they had a game on.
The game continued for the next 30 minutes with no change of score, the football from both sides was awesome. Chances at both end came and went by the half dozen and yet no break in score.
We hit the changing rooms at half time for a well deserved sit down and chat (REST). There was a real buzz around the room. The boys were still calm but so fired to win. After a bit of the usual motivation talk I summarised with a final question. “Boys” I said “Do we have the ability to get to the final” All I got was a 100% resounding YES screamed back at me. “So get out and do it” I screamed………the boys went wild the noise was deafening, Nick kicked the bin accross the room and the walls almost cracked with noise. What an atmosphere……….What an attitude………..What desire……………What Commitment………….100% BRILLANT. I Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not quite sure that the tea line totally agreed when we all came bundling out of the changing room........I don't know about Witchford but we scared the hell out of their supports trying to retreave a quick brew. 16 players and two short bald blokes bursting out of a door in full scream is enough to put anyone off their tea.
We hit the second half as we had left the first, both teams desperately trying to get the break. Everything they threw at us, Sam caught and threw back. Everything we attacked with was turned around and sent back as a counter attack. What a game of football.
And then disaster. Moments from extra time we were in the 6th minute of stoppage time (I have no argument for this amount of stoppage time, it was what was needed). A bouncing ball (a hit and hope) was fired into the air by Witchford, Sam and their attacker challenged for the ball, one went one way and the other went the other way, the ball bounced off their attacker and as if in slow motion tricked across the line…………………..NO…………NOT IN THIS WAY I THOUGHT…………THIS IS NOT RIGHT. But it was there 2 – 1 to Witchford. We had seconds to spare as we kicked off and immediately won a corner…..this is it our last chance I thought and gave the shout for all 11 to get in the box. No one left to defend…..to defend what? A 2 – 1 defeat. One last bit of luck and we are there………………but no lady luck had left the building and the final whistle went and the game finished 2 -1 to Witchford.
The game was a real cup tie and Witchford were left speechless; they had not expected what we had to offer and had turned thinking that they had won the game before the first kick off the ball. How wrong were they!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We were congratulated by Witchford, they could not give enough complements about our attitude and performance.
They won the game but we drew the yellow card competitions……3 All……3 yellow cards in one game, that’s 1 more than we have had all season……Does that show a lack of discipline?........NO, I think it shows the commitment and passion that we had yesterday and is a clear indication of the effort that was put to the task. The only card I feel that I should mention is Wills yellow; he was cautioned for reckless/dangerous play for a late tackle. There is no argument that he was late and to be honest if he was any later he would have tackled the lad tomorrow. Now clearly I can’t condone revenge or violence on the pitch but what most people don’t realise is that for approx 20 minutes prior to this tackle Will was constantly under verbal attack from the same player, poking and pushing at every opportunity and a pulled shirt when ever Will had the ball………only dish out what you are prepared to receive or don’t write cheques that you can't cash are two sayings that spring to mind…………………..The other is "Will he had what was coming!" but don't do it again!
I have had to argue with my conscience about Man of the Match for today. Its not that no one deserved it…the problem is that so many deserve it……and why should any player be named ahead of his peers…………..So I thought that it would be unfair to name a man of the match…………as soon as I had decided this I thought now this is wrong why when one players effort stood out should he not be rewarded with a well done.
So in true “sitting on the fence manner” today’s man of the match is awarded to………………….Alex, Ryan, Josh, Joe, Louis, Eamon, Matt, Ozzie, Jason, Luke, Nathan, James, Connie, Will, Tom and Sam………I know that that is everyone but you all deserve it………and therefore today’s Man of the Man of the Match (if that makes sense) goes quite clearly to Sam Holman. His efforts were incredible and mentioned by so many Home/Away supporter and even the three appointed referees. Sam what an outstanding effort, WELL DONE. I do not think anyone would disagree.
Now I know we lost today and we now are out of the Cup but to be honest none of this matters…….today we were outstanding in performance and attitude. We never gave up and produced some outstanding football……………..Gents from the bottom of my heart I am proud of each and everyone of you.. I hand on heart would prefer today's result and performance against a poorly performed win…………..even without a final and any silverware……………. Thank you for today it will live with me forever and I'm sure that I am not the only one.
Best of Luck to Witchford for the Final........... I think it would be appropriate and acceptable to be beaten by the final champions (Its not that, blar blar balr stuff....... I just don’t want Shelford to win).
U16s…………………….Living, feeling and reliving the dream…………….COME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
