Barrel
24-11-2007, 20:15
STAMFORD BELS RESERVES 1
WHITTLESEY UNITED RESERVES 3
Whittlesey finally laid the Stamford Bels ‘Hoodoo’ to rest with a 3-1 win in the Quarter Finals of the PFA Junior Cup at Queen Elanor School to progress to the semi-finals of the competition.
The visitors coming into the game without first choice goalkeeper Daniel Fletcher suffered a further blow on the morning of the game when Adam Moore went down with a bout of flu. Centre-half Ray Gale went between the sticks in what was to be a difficult cup encounter against a side we always seem to struggle against.
We decided to go with a formation with getting at the home side early on in mind. The boys started like a steam train and went a goal up early on when Micky Burch paved the way to deliver a pin-point cross that was tucked away by Paul Hibbins at the far post to create an early lead. As the second half progressed we created numerous opportunities to increase our advantage, Hibbins, Heron and Smith all went close but a mixture of blocked shots and fine goalkeeping kept us at bay, meanwhile Stamford rightly had a goal disallowed for an offside as they looked to claw their way back into the afternoon’s cup encounter.
The score stayed 1-0 as the half time whistle was blown. The lads started the second half with their backs against the wall, the wind had become much stronger and the lads had to endure a 10 minute patch where they had to defend for their lives. As Whittlesy broke forward they were awarded a corner, and midfielder Danny Baxter delivered a wicked in-swinging ball that was turned in by a home player for an own goal to put the visitors 2-0 up. Moments later the referee failed to see a hand-ball by the Stamford forward occurring on the edge of the visiting 18 yard box but miraculously found his glasses to see a similar offence by Mick Gale in the Whittlesey back line, a free kick was awarded and the home side produced a fiercely shot free-kick that was well saved by the stand in keeper but unfortunately for the visitors it fell to a home player who slotted home to reduce the deficit.
As the game wore on we reverted to our usual formation and played more football, this was rewarded when 10 minutes from time, our football paid its dividends when Paul Hibbins twisted and turned against the home defence to smash the ball into the bottom corner beyond the keeper.
Whittlesey roared on and substitute Bobby Dart forced a great save from the home keeper. The boys held out for a fine 3-1 win to storm into the Semi Finals of the PFA Junior Cup.
Great win for the boys where they dug in hard to produce a win on a ground where we haven’t had much joy in the past, great atmosphere in the dressing room and the bus on the way home.
We have got to keep the momentum going, and a statement I have used time and time again on this forum and in the changing room continues to take centre stage ‘one game at a time’, as long as we continue to do that we are in with a great shout this season.
Here’s to Moulton Harrox away in the league next week!
COME ON!
WHITTLESEY UNITED RESERVES 3
Whittlesey finally laid the Stamford Bels ‘Hoodoo’ to rest with a 3-1 win in the Quarter Finals of the PFA Junior Cup at Queen Elanor School to progress to the semi-finals of the competition.
The visitors coming into the game without first choice goalkeeper Daniel Fletcher suffered a further blow on the morning of the game when Adam Moore went down with a bout of flu. Centre-half Ray Gale went between the sticks in what was to be a difficult cup encounter against a side we always seem to struggle against.
We decided to go with a formation with getting at the home side early on in mind. The boys started like a steam train and went a goal up early on when Micky Burch paved the way to deliver a pin-point cross that was tucked away by Paul Hibbins at the far post to create an early lead. As the second half progressed we created numerous opportunities to increase our advantage, Hibbins, Heron and Smith all went close but a mixture of blocked shots and fine goalkeeping kept us at bay, meanwhile Stamford rightly had a goal disallowed for an offside as they looked to claw their way back into the afternoon’s cup encounter.
The score stayed 1-0 as the half time whistle was blown. The lads started the second half with their backs against the wall, the wind had become much stronger and the lads had to endure a 10 minute patch where they had to defend for their lives. As Whittlesy broke forward they were awarded a corner, and midfielder Danny Baxter delivered a wicked in-swinging ball that was turned in by a home player for an own goal to put the visitors 2-0 up. Moments later the referee failed to see a hand-ball by the Stamford forward occurring on the edge of the visiting 18 yard box but miraculously found his glasses to see a similar offence by Mick Gale in the Whittlesey back line, a free kick was awarded and the home side produced a fiercely shot free-kick that was well saved by the stand in keeper but unfortunately for the visitors it fell to a home player who slotted home to reduce the deficit.
As the game wore on we reverted to our usual formation and played more football, this was rewarded when 10 minutes from time, our football paid its dividends when Paul Hibbins twisted and turned against the home defence to smash the ball into the bottom corner beyond the keeper.
Whittlesey roared on and substitute Bobby Dart forced a great save from the home keeper. The boys held out for a fine 3-1 win to storm into the Semi Finals of the PFA Junior Cup.
Great win for the boys where they dug in hard to produce a win on a ground where we haven’t had much joy in the past, great atmosphere in the dressing room and the bus on the way home.
We have got to keep the momentum going, and a statement I have used time and time again on this forum and in the changing room continues to take centre stage ‘one game at a time’, as long as we continue to do that we are in with a great shout this season.
Here’s to Moulton Harrox away in the league next week!
COME ON!