Martlesham 747's 4th October 2008

This was the first round of the cup and we found ourselves drawn against 1st division opposition. We have always had close fought games against Martlesham in the past and today was to be no different.

A Game

The line up was- Ollie S in goal, Connor S in defence, Jack, Charlie B and Will across midfield, Freddie and Matty up front. Sam and Ollie Mac on the bench

From the start we knew it was going to a tough game. Our passing and movement was causing them problems and we looked the more dangerous team going forward. Connor did a superb job of stopping their striker, he didn't get passed him once and was replaced. The replacement striker had no more luck than the first. Jack and Freddie continued where they left off last week and gave them a lot of problems up the left side. We were unlucky not to score from some of the crosses being sent in. Charlie worked tirelessly in the centre breaking down attacks and starting our moves. On the right Will and Matty were linking well and all we needed was a goal to reward our superior play. The break finally came down the right hand side. Will and Matty combined brilliantly to get the ball to the goal line where Matty passed it back to the penalty spot where Freddie rifled it into the top corner. 1-0. Martlesham stepped up their game and started pushing forward more effectively. They still couldn't get close enough though to get any decent shots in. Connor and the midfielders made sure of that. Any balls lobbed over the defence were picked up by Ollie, who then got us moving with a well aimed kick or throw and set us back on the attack.
We pushed forward and created the best chance of the game. A superb through ball set Matty on a one on one with their keeper. As he reached the edge of the box he was scythed down from behind by the last defender. A straight red card if this was 11 a side. The ref could only give a free kick.
Then disaster struck!!! (No exaggeration) Martlesham were awarded a free kick reasonably far out. The shot was well struck and on target. Ollie only had to raise his hands and catch it easily. (Get ready for the disaster bit!!) He got both hands to it and somehow palmed it over the line. An absolute shocker! Who'd be a goal keeper? You make one mistake the whole game, save us on several occasions with some brilliant saves and yet you get described the by words Disaster and Shocker!! It's a cruel game. 1-1 was the half-time score.

The second half was a much tighter affair. Charlie and Matty made way for Ollie Mac and Sam. Martlesham were on a high and were more up for it than us to begin with. Ollie pulled of a couple of fantastic saves that kept us in the game. We attacked well and had a couple of crosses flash across their goal but were unable to get a foot on them to get them in.
Then disaster struck. Yes Ollie was involved again and the word Shocker is even more appropriate on this occasion. This time it's aimed at the ref. I don't normally comment on refereeing decisions, however Ollie had just made a great save and had the ball in both hands on the ground. Their player slid in and kicked it out of their hands into the net. I thought the ref had blown for a foul. When he gave the goal me and Steve went mad!!

I think on balance a draw would have been a fair result. Extra time and penalties would have been played. It was very disappointing to get knocked out of the cup with a decision like that. Even more unfair on Ollie who had redeemed himself superbly.

Man of the Match this week was Connor Savage. He has delivered time and time again in the new defensive position we play and was instrumental in keeping their attacks to a minimum.

B Game

The line up was Harley in goal, Kyle in defence, Curtis, Keiran and Cameron in midfield, Nat and Jake up front. Alex, Dan and Charlie W on the bench

Thankfully this game was less incident packed than the first. I had only just about calmed down.

The game started in a similar fashion to the first with us passing better and playing better as a team. Albeit at a slower pace. The B's are developing into a good little football playing team. if we can step up the pace we will cause teams even more problems. Good solid defending by Kyle kept Harley's involvement to a minimum. Keiran ran the game in midfield. He broke down their attacks and started our own working very hard for the team.
After 10 minutes we had to withdraw Curtis from the game. He had been struggling with illness and was unable to continue. Alex replaced him in his familiar left midfield position.
We created chance after chance getting in great shots and out playing Martlesham in every department. Their keeper however was playing a blinder. He made save after save and was the only thing keeping them in the game. Nat again was very busy up front and battled well. Jake played well but was out muscled by a much more physical team. 0-0 at half time.

Dan replaced Kyle in defence and Charlie W took over from Jake up front. We started the half well and picked up where we left off. Keiran won the ball with a crunching tackle in midfield, played a simple ball into Charlie who carried it forward and sent a superb through ball setting Nat on his way towards goal. This time he fired it low from outside the box into the bottom corner. A great finish and a well deserved goal for the team and for the Goal-Machine!!
From on it was end to end stuff. Harley made a couple of good saves. Dan carried on from where Kyle left off and played his best football of the season. Alex and Cammy worked extremely hard on the flanks and also played the best they had this season.
Then disaster struck.................well actually it didn't. Martlesham scored. It was a normal goal with no controversy!!
With 4 minutes remaining it looked like extra time would be needed. Alex took the ball down the left and got the ball across to Nat who banged it home to make the score 2-1. This was the final score. The boys are now officially on a cup run!!

Man of the match was Keiran. He was involved in everything. The only thing he hasn't got this season is a goal.