Clifton FC v Borough Utd (Cup Match)
Today's game saw us host Borough in the next round of the cup. Pitch was wetter than expected but looked in top shape. Was good to see Hoops and Ed back in the squad for today's game. With some old school bangers in the changing room and Lennon handing out an endless supply of haribo all the boys seemed up for it!
Lineup saw some shift in positions for some players this week with a smaller squad on offer. Game kicked off and we started ok (better than previous weeks) and thought we might take the game to them. They got a corner early and the ball was whipped in towards goal,Big Mark called keepers and proceeded to slap the ball into his own net!! 1 nil down after a few minutes..gutted!!
Knocked the lads back a bit but we pushed on but not really creating much but Borough wasn't either. After switching off defending in our own box we half cleared but only to see them react quicker and smash the ball in the back of the net 2 nil down!! We all seemed pleased to see half time come and with a few words said and changes made we were up for the second half! Hoops back on the pitch as the rain started to get heavier and pitch softened up!
We started this half much better knocking the ball around nice with Hoops back in the mix. Not long though and and we were forced to make a change,Wee man had pulled his groin chasing Baz's touch which saw me switch to RM and Scotty (who looked over the moon about it) out on the left. But he soon won us a corner with a bit of old school wingers skill....the boy still got it!! Hoops clipped it in the the far post and Lendog nutted the ball and the 2 defenders into the back of the net...2-1 we were back in it! Oppos heads went down and we started to boss the game. Hoops had a Gazza moment beating about 5 players on a mazing run and setting me in but the shot was saved! Back 4 were keeping them out comfortably and Ed was just breaking things up which let us push on the put them under alot of pressure. We finally drew level after a good finish from Andy after deflected pass dropped to him nicely. With Duncan now on the pitch we were smashing them all over the place,but in a mad moment Mark R decided to try and head a ball from the deck back to the keeper Champs and the boys moped up...was a let off!
With the game getting nearer to the end I made a great diagonal run in behind and Hoops chipped a great ball into me my touch was world class but unfortunately my shot wasn't it was like going from Bergkamp to Bentner in the blink of an eye!! I felt I redeemed myself at the death after another last ditch tackle!
Full time came and we moved into extra time. Again this was a game of 2 half's first half they created more and hit the woodwork!
Second half was better and we seemed to have more in the tank. The goalpost should have gone off for treatment the amount Lennon smashed it in the last 15 mins of the 120!!
In the dying moments of the game Mark R was sent off for having a tourettes moment...but I think the ref is not putting it through! !🙈
Penalties it was. I won't go into it as the game now becomes a roll of the dice. Today wasn't meant to be but we gave it a proper go.
Plus sides... Didn't give up at 2-0 down. Came back and bossed the game. Solid at the back minus a few mad moments. Played some good football. Nobby saw more of the ball and played better than last week!!!! 😳
It was a shit cup anyway!! Back to the league next week that's what it's all about!!
Come on the Clifton 🍊⚽
