This was Allstars most important game of the season – being a double-header MA Cup quarter-final and a league match all rolled into one.
The squad on Friday looked great.
The squad by Sunday morning looked considerably worse with Street and Selbie dropping out due to unforeseen circumstances leaving a hole in the centre of midfield, and only 11 men to play in this crucial game.
Kelly took on the responsibility of partnering Mitchell in the centre of midfield with Durrant on the right, and Klinger on the left, leaving Blandy and Medley to partner each other upfront for the first time.
Not a disastrous line-up by any means, however to add to the misery of gusting winds and sheeting hail, at kick-off, in the first 30 seconds of the match, a London Tiger came in nastily from behind into Klingers ankle – and effectively reduced him to stationery hobbling for the entire remaining 89 mins – as we had no sub on the side-line. What a test lay ahead.
Wind-with in the first half, Allstars attempted to take advantage of the long-ball, but consequently struggled to keep possession and did not produce any football of any note for about 20 mins of the match – infact it was Tigers who were passing it nicely using their right channel to good effect – and were it not for good defending by the back four of Gladstone, Glyn, Ossack and especially Howard, the Allstars could have found themselves one down.
But it was the audacious efforts of our goalkeeper of all people, in the very same weekend as Paul Robinson – yes you guessed it, from a goal kick out of his hands, wind-with, the ball flew and flew, and bounced on the edge of the 18-yard box, only for their keeper to mis-judge the bounce, Foster-style, and Paley scores his first (and probably last) ever goal for Gowers
1-0 Allstars
Unfortunately our lead did not calm the Allstars down, with the new centre midfield duo struggling to find their rhythm – caused mainly by a spineless left flank, and new partnership, the standard of football was not good.
And Allstars were punished by the steadily increasing threat of the Tigers, who got their just rewards, when their left winger cut inside onto the edge of the box, to fire a shot low and hard, which bounced awkwardly in front of Paley, who could only parry the ball into the side netting.
1-1
Aside from one or two Blandy breakaways there after, that was how the first half ended. Evenly balanced, one man down, all to play for.
Second half, with the wind against, it seemed to help the Allstars, because we could actually pass the ball on the floor – and the organisation of Mitchell (sitting Makele style) and Kelly (playing further up) was much more co-ordinated, enabling us to construct some threatening manoeuvres and finally play some football.
(meanwhile Klinger, very bravely continued on helping his team, but desperately hobbling like a character out of the Usual Suspects)
10 mins in and a poor back pass by Tigers and an equally poor first touch by Tigers keeper allowed Medley in, to dribble it round the keeper and have an open goal from the left hand side with a pursuing defender racing in – Medley used his head and simply passed the ball across the centre of the goal for Blandy to have an easy tap in…
2-1 Allstars…
Constant pressure then ensued from Tigers, who detected our Achilles heal our left side, and a string of attacks were forthcoming, only for our back four to stand-up and be counted each of which defended like giants.
15 mins to go, and a powerful strike (wind-with) from the edge of the area, flew straight at Paley – uncharacterically it was mis-handled and dropped straight to their striker who tapped in from 1 yard.
2-2 – effectively 10-men, wind-with and all of sudden the momentum swung to the Tigers, who could sense victory…
But the Allstars never give up – testament to the season they are having, they never know when they are beat and the almighty battle continued.
Everyone one of them, knew the importance of this game – and that last 15 mins was definitely the bravest and most hard fought of the season so far. Every ball, every tackle, every 50-50 was Allstars – even Klinger was trying to get involved until he winced and realised he could barely stand - no matter turn and take on a player.
10 mins remaining, right wing, Medley collects the ball, takes it round one player then passes the ball round the back of two defenders to find Blandy far post who slots it coolly into the corner of the net, Berbatov style, past an approaching keeper.
Huge goal, and now 3-2 Allstars,
The battle continued with Glyn leading by example at the back, heading and tackling with a lot of heart and commitment, and it was finally Medley who headed home from a Kelly free-kick, to give the Gower Allstars a tremendous 4-2 victory – 3 more points and a place in the semi-final of the MA Cup – which has the 3 top Premier teams as the other semi-finalists – perfectly set-up.
A brilliant team effort – against all odds – one which definitely felt the best so far. Proud of every single one of you.
The treble is still on boys – and at this rate who is gonna stop us? Believe it…
MOTM – the whole team deserve this award, but in a rare situation, I am going to award to myself, Phil Glyn, for an impressive 2nd half performance, leading the team to victory by example – oh and for getting booked for shouting at the ref “How long is left please?” – have you ever, no, neither have I.
Lastly, email this morning from the Tigers coach:
"I was watching the game yesterday and you guys deserve to win. Our guys were individually good but did not play as a team.
Good luck for the next round. I want to see you guys beating Red Star Camden in the final.
Thanks
Aslam"Red Star are the best team in the Camden League, and have lost only twice in 5 years.
Up for it? Well lets bring it on...
