Tremendous TD sunk in Extra Time

A second semi-final in 2 seasons for these terrific boys, this time in the Cup against a tough opponent in East Grinstead town.

East Grinstead sit 4th in Division 1 currently and have a strong side.

The boys came into the game today knowing that they were there on merit and not a fluke. This was going to be an all out battle to get the result that they needed.

A strong side was picked by Nigel with Oliver in net, Dean, Toby and Cam at the back. A midfield made up of Dorian, Jack, Lewis and Stephen with a front line of Kieron, Sam and Freddie. All 17 boys that came along today were brilliant from the first minute, both on and off the pitch, supporting each other.

From the kick off, the boys started strong and battled all over the pitch, putting in tackles, winning their duels and doing their best to keep the ball on a slippery surface.

We got our first sighter of goal within the first 5 minutes but were unlucky with the final ball giving the keeper an easy catch.

Right on 10 minutes, East Grinstead won the ball on the left back spot before playing a ball through to their winger who knocked it past Cam and whipped in a cross to be met in the middle for a tap in.1-0 to EGT.

The boys didnt let their heads drop and took the game back to East Grinstead. Some strong play down the left between Dean, Stephen and Kieron led to our next attack with Kieron laying the ball into Sam's path before he let fly with a fantastic curling effort that just whistled past the far post.

After this it became a bit scrappy with the ball bouncing around the midfield area and neither team able to get a foothold in the game.

A sloppy free kick was given away just outside the area, the EG midfielder went for it with Oliver pulling off a good save but the rebound was right into the danger area and the EG striker was there to tap it in the net. 2-0

Again, the TD boys didn't let their heads drop and went back at EG as this team never gives up! We started to get a bit more joy down the right hand side with Dorian and Sam running at the left back. From a throw in on the right Dorian picked up the ball and whipped a cross into the box. Kieron challenged for the ball and with a good tackle, the ball fell outside the area and rolled towards the halfway line. Dean made his move towards the Ball and from about 40 yards out he looked up and hit an absolute rocket with his left foot towards the goal! It flew in over the head of the keeper who was stood rooted to the spot. Unbelievable! Not the first one he has hit like that this season, but the absolute scenes on the pitch and sidelines as he casually turned around and jogged back to his position! Unreal! 2-1

Just after this, Cam had to come off due to a bad tackle and Stephen had to come off due to a tight chest with Freddie coming off for Harry to change the tactics. Ethanand Zack came on to replace Cam and Stephen.

With about 5 mins to go be half time, another ball into the box was not cleared all the way and a ricochet landed at the EG wingers feet for a third tap in. 3-1

HT- EGT- 3 - TD - 1

AT Half time, the boys spoke with us about things that needed to be addressed and what we wanted from them. They wanted to take the game to EG but knew we needed to keep the ball and win that battle in midfield so Nigel changed us to a 3-5-2 with Harry, Jack and Lewis in the middle and Sam and Kieron up top. Stephen came back on at the break for Zack.

As the second half kicked off, we lost the ball quite quickly and realised we would have to do some defending to get a foothold back in the game. Dean, Toby and Ethan were playing out of their skin with Oliver pulling off some outrageous saves including one from point blank range that would of gone through another keeper.

As the half wore on, we realised that the next goal would make all the difference and could change the game. We started to get joy down the wings again with Dean & Stephen linking up well on the left and Dorian and Ethan linking up well on the right.
Some brilliant bits of play gave us a few yards of space and a few sighters of goal but nothing clear cut.

With the game getting closer to the last 15, Zack came back on for Stephen and played on the left. He was working well with Harry and Dean in closing down the danger man on the EG right wing and Toby and Jack were keeping their Striker quiet.

With just over 10 minutes left, Sam won the ball high up the pitch and drove at the defence, causing chaos and winning us a corner in the process. After working on corners during training this week, the boys knew what we wanted from them and Lewis stepped up and whipped in a peace of a ball for Sam to leap like a salmon and nod the ball into the back of the net with a thunderous header. 3-2 and the boys tails were up!

From the kick off, EG did their best to waste time and run down the clock, knocking it out of play and taking the ball into the corner. Our boys were not going to let that stop them and they won the ball back in the left hand corner before playing their way out and into the path of Harry who laid it into Jack to knock forward over the top to Kieron. With the ref checking his watch, Kieron ran through onto the ball and even though he had an unusually heavy touch, the keeper came flying out and tried to clear it but only succeeding in hitting it into Kieron, who put out his leg and the ball rolled into the empty net! 3-3 WITH THE LAST KICK OF NORMAL TIME!!!

FT - EG-3 - TD - 3

EXTRA TIME-

Onto Extra time and the boys knew they were so close to winning it, they wanted to give us their all for the last 20 minutes of the game. EG took the game to us and the boys were outstanding defensively again, holding firm and defending in numbers giving Sam and Kieron the chance to take the game up the other end. At one point Sam picked up the ball on the edge of our area, Dribbled past 7 players before being taken out from behind right near the edge of EG box but no foul given? Madness.

From here, a long clearance beat our defence before Dean covered and knocked it out of play for a throw. A long throw and a few missed headers meant the ball dropped at the left wingers feet and another tap in. 4-3

HT ET - EG - 4 - TD - 3

At the half, Oliver let us know the injury he picked up in the second half was too much for him to continue so Jack stepped up and went in goal for us with Cam coming into that midfield spot. Mason came on for Zack on the left and Stan on for Harry in the midfield to go up top to go for the goal.

A close second half of ET with both teams going for it but ultimately it was a deep cross that Jack tipped over to the far post where the Striker was waiting for another tap in. 5 - 3.

FT- EGTY-5 - TD- 3

A hell of a performance and battle from every single one of those boys out there today. A game that showed they deserve to be in a semi final of that level. Taking the game to a team 2 divisions higher and in 4th place was just outstanding. The boys left everything out on that pitch today and should be extremely proud of themselves, we as Coaches and management certainly are!

A couple of special mentions- George Payne - Unfortunately we could only bring on 5 subs today and George was understanding that would couldn't get him on- he supported the boys from the first whistle to the last. Also a massive thank you to his parents who came down and supported the boys too.
Chloe A - Winning a fantastic little header for the second time this week and being an absolute sport about it!

MOTM- DEAN ROADLEY- Picked by the parents and Players- A commanding performance today- all over the pitch doing the work of 5 players! To top it off a fantastic thunderbugger of a goal! Well done!

Onto Next week now and back to the top of the table clash against Lindfield