28 Sep 2008 - RESULT - u14s come close in Cup

Elmwood Colts A  3 - 0   Thames Gateway

Preparation for our debut in the Essex FA County Cup, against last year’s finalists away, was mainly around trying to contain the opposition, however in the first half it was Elmwood who had to contain us.  The team dominated possession.  Some of the football was among the best we have played and certainly the best this year. 

Elmwood were on the back foot as wave after wave of Thames attacks tested their defence to the limit.  Danny had two chances – both shots were just over the bar, Ryan C impressive again this week went close too, Robert C had two or three chances, his second forcing a spectacular diving save to the Elmwood keeper’s left.  There were other chances too but Elmwood rode their luck while our luck seemed to have deserted us.

In midfield, Squirrel did well on the right, Danny worked himself into the ground - he needed to come off just before half time with breathing difficulties, but Chay and man of the match Sean B were running the show in the centre of midfield.  They worked tirelessly, showing plenty of promise for the season ahead.

At the back Ashley marshalled the defence superbly, he led the team by example and was well supported by George S and Ryan W who totally controlled the right and left for us, thwarting attacks from Elmwood.  Kieran put in another extraordinary game, covering for the injured Conor – he made some important tackles when last man and his timing in the tackle was easily the best he has shown all season.  Kieran has been asked to play out of position for most of our games this season, covering for injuries.  His contribution to the team is second to none.  Every time the team has asked him to do a job this season – he has risen to the challenge fantastically.

Reggie came on for Danny just before half time and was a little cold when caught in possession to let Elmwood in and totally against the run of play, they shot past George H who was pretty much redundant in the first half, thanks to his defence and midfield controlling the game so well.

1-0 down at half time and Freddie and Luke came on as the team were asked for more of the same but to show more composure in front of goal.  The team did exactly that, though Elmwood looked more organised at the back in the second half and chances at both ends were hard to come by.  Elmwood played an offside game that was helped on three occasions by some generous decisions from their linesman – at least three questionable decisions stopped us when we looked clean through and the Referee Mr Caton, eventually over ruled on two occasions. 

 The second goal came after Chay got caught in possession, Elmwood broke quickly and for the second time in the game we were punished for a mistake.  It was hard to take but the team were still in the game.  Luke was called upon to make a great save diving low to his right after a rare attack got in behind the defence.

Freddie, Robert C, Sean, Ryan C, Chay went close as we continued in search of that elusive goal as time ran down.  We pushed more players forward.  Then with a few minutes to go, Ryan W came to his attacker on the right and in doing so played a forward behind him offside by at least four yards, the attacker played in the player offside – the linesman flag was dismissed by the Ref and Elmwood made it 3-0.  The Elmwood Manager agreed with Steve that it looked offside and after the game the Ref said he felt the player had ran from an onside position but he may have made a mistake.  We were unlucky, but it was not a goal to decide the game,

Overall, this was a performance the team can be proud of; they gave a great account of themselves and the Thundermite League.  We learned two things today – at this level, you have to take your chances and you are more likely to be punished for mistakes.  However, there were more signs of our improving team spirit, our players supported each other well and for the second week running, we saw an injured player on the sidelines supporting his team mates – Conor had made the 26 mile round trip to support the team.  Great to see among the travelling Thames masses on the sideline, we were really well supported.

We wish Elmwood, success for the rest of the season and we wish their player who suffered a shoulder injury a quick recovery.  Mr Caton, Ref, had a superb game too. 

It was a game played in the right spirit by both sides who thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.