Cup matches often defy the odds with one off matches between teams from different leagues testing the commitment of players of all levels and Sunday’s match between Carnage and Club C from the first division proved to be just such a game.
There was an inauspicious start as neither of the umpires had bothered to turn up so while we scratched around looking for volunteers the team lost focus. We were very quickly 2 goals down plus one that was fortunately disallowed but slowly the defense got their act together to block any further Club attacks. This gave the Valley midfield the time and space to build some moves of our own and force a couple of short corners. Time to try a few experimental plays! The first was comical but the second led to a deflection from Ar$e at the post. 2-1. More Valley pressure shortly afterwards led to a well worked 1-2 between OFT and Blandy for the latter to belt it into the back of the goal for the equalizer.
Stand in Coach Mark gave us a few wise words at half time about hobbit shepherding but we knew we were still in it and that it was there for the taking. The second half proved more evenly matched with pressure at both ends. Club were awarded plenty of shorts but our defense raised their game again and held firm which got the opposition frustrated and bickering amongst themselves. At the other end a move up the right between Jack and OFT got Jack into the D on the byline. He looked up to see Poppet waiting in front of goal and hit a firm cross. Unfortunately for Poppet, the Club right back, COD, thought he was still a Valley player and poached the goal…. Fantasy points to Jack but credit to COD for a well taken goal!
The scum were getting more and more frantic and threw everything at us but the defense were fantastic. Ross and Blandy kept the hobbit on a short leash and all their attacks came to nothing. Ironically it was left to COD to provide the final drama of the day. A 16 yard hit was passed back to him to switch across the pitch. Unfortunately for him he mistrapped and Poppet reacted faster to steal the ball drive into the D and then cross to Blandy for the simplest of tap ins. 4-2 final score. Club were frustrated but ultimately beaten by a better team performance on the day and they knew it.
The cup run is set to continue with a quarterfinal on 16 May. Next match is on Fri 9th Apr against a resurgent Damage who yesterday knocked the First Division leaders Club B out of the cup. Should be a big game! Perhaps it will be a rehearsal for the cup final??? The magic of the cup shall decide……
POPPET