Groucho FC 2 Gower Allstars 3
The Allstars played against a highly competitive Groucho FC on Sunday in the quarter-final of the Divisional Cup.
On an old astro-style wet pitch, the Gowers struggled to get to grips with the exceptionally fast moving ball, the midfield especially – and to top if off, Groucho started off excellently, dominating the Allstars, from the outset.
After 15 mins, Allstars found themselves 1-0 down after a well won header from a corner by the tall centre back, out-jumping the Gower skipper.
Gowers half got steadily worse as the minutes ticked by, and Groucho began to string some nice moves together, making our midfield largely anonymous.
However one bright moment from the Allstars saw Medley use the channel perfectly to create a shooting opportunity, only for the struggling centre-back to have no choice but to bring his man down – in the box. Somehow the substitute referee gave a free-kick on the edge of the box. Nothing resulted.
Allstars problems doubled, when the usually faultless Ossack failed to shepherd the ball out of play, was beaten by his chasing striker, and got to the by-line to cross perfectly to their other striker, who slotted home.
2-0 30 mins gone. Not looking good.
It seemed that the 2nd goal was the wake up call we had been waiting for. Finally some urgency came from the team, who started to battle a bit more and show a bit of class, (although still way off our normal quality), especially from the two new “ringer” fullbacks in Ricky and Mark.
A free-kick 25 yards out, was taken well by Klinger, heading into the top corner, and could only be parried by the keeper, which fell to Medley to slot home.
2-1
Half time.
A universally agreed Halt-time team talk, that we needed to step up our game otherwise we were heading right out of the competition we reached the final of, last year, and that was what began to happen in the 2nd half.
50-50s began to turn our way, channel balls were played excellently down the wings, and the midfield began to get more into the game, if not with quality football, but with fight, grit and determination – all of which began to get under the noses of the opposition.
3 yellow cards later, the game was a feisty as it comes, and on a knife edge.
Free-kick Allstars, 35 yards out. Duggan swings it in, dangerously, keeper struggles to hold on, Durrant pounces with quick reactions onto loose ball, and finds the net
2-2
25 to play.
Gower continued to press for the winner, and in fairness looked like the only team that were gonna win it.
Medley broke away, on loose bouncing ball, Groucho centre-back couldn’t handle him and bundled him to the ground, in the box. Yet again, no penalty. Disgraceful decision that was – which riled the Gowers even more, resulting in a few unnecessary handbags.
Anyhow, Allstars battled on – with some strong defending by all the back four, and by this stage, Klinger has been replaced by another battling ringer in Andrew Wicks.
Free-kick yet again. 88th minute. This time 40 yards out on touch line. Duggan steps up and places an inch perfect cross onto Wicks head, who heads downwards and into the corner of the net.
3-2 Gower,
Game over.
A fine fine win in the circumstances, especially being 2-0 down on a surface we are by no means comfortable with – and sets us up superbly for the semi – and hopefully the Phoenix in the final…a dream scenario
MOTM – the full backs – Mark Kelly and Ricky – both played out of position but held the team together at crucial points. Well done to all the team for an exceptionally pleasing win.
