Claregate Park Rangers vs Old Cross Athletic
4 - 2
29 April 2018 · Chell Cup (sponsored by Wilkes Tranter Accountants)
Home cup match played on 29 April 2018.
Kicked off at 2:15 PM
4-2
vs Old Cross Athletic
Home cup match
Today's semi final at home to Old Cross Athletic really was the clichéd game of two halves.
Claregate couldn't impose themselves on the game during the first half and seemed to be 2nd best to everything Old Cross had to offer. The visitors took a well deserved lead on 18 minutes, scoring direct from a corner. Old Cross doubled their lead on 35 minutes when Claregate failed to challenge for headers in midlfield and a weak header back to Beale in goal was pounced upon by their striker leaving our keeper with no chance but no fault on Beale. Old Cross took a well deserved lead into half time, 2-0.
A big shake up was needed at half time, tactics and players. Claregate switched to a 4-4-2 formation, pushing Andy Arnold up front to work alongside Kyle Matthews with Daniel "Burnzy" Burns coming on for Si Stokes into right midfield. 45 second half minutes to save the season...
? 65 minutes and Claregate's pressure told when Kane Lewis puts a ball into the box for Andy Arnold to spin and finish well from 8 yards. 1-2.
? 75 minutes and Claregate draw level with a Burnzy corner met by the head of Marc Thomas. 2-2.
? 83 minutes and Claregate counter quickly with Andy Arnold sending Kyle Matthews clear for Kyle to notch past the Old Cross keeper and cue wild celebrations on the touchline. 3-2.
? The result was put beyond doubt on 85 minutes when sub John Goodwin sent Kyle Matthews free on the right, Kyle cut inside and dropped his shoulder on his defender, rounded the keeper and finished from inside the box. 4-2.
Old Cross gave us a good game today and caused us problems but Claregate's sheer will to win and work rate shone through to take us to our first ever cup final. Everyone there today could see what the result meant to the lads, a superb comeback. What a game. What a result.
Man of the match was Kyle Matthews who stayed patient all game to take his chances when given the opportunity but a colossal effort from everyone involved.
Other sub used was Jon Wilson on for Nathan Ratcliffe.
On to the final now - updates on this to follow.
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