Harry The Hero In Dramatic Shoot-Out Victory

With the league campaign over it was Quarter Final action in The WAKJFL Committee Cup at Walton Hall Park and the draw pitted us against Botanic who inflicted a 6-2 scoreline over us just 7 days before. We had the bare 11 and were looking for the lads to step up particularly with the absence of Gift & Jude Carroll and they certainly done that in style starting on the front foot racing into a two goal lead within the opening 18 minutes. The first was a cool finish from Ross after a great through ball from Johnny who also took the free kick which set up the second which was a very well taken strike by Paddy who hit double figures for the season. Botanic struggled to cope with the pace of Ross & Ethan but their failure to beat the offside trap was the only reason we didn't add to the two goal lead. With 10 minutes off the half remaining Botanic struck a goal back meaning there was still work to be done in the second half.

We continued to battle and maintain a high level of organisation particularly when we were out of possession but you could see tiredness kicking in. That was only natural given the intensity of the game alongside the hot conditions as well as having no substitutes to call upon. Botanic capitalised on this and took control of the game, their equaliser was maybe slightly fortunate when a corner fell to one of their players who struck the ball which hit Harry in the face and the ball was smashed in with our number 1 left helpless on the floor. We dug in and worked tremendously hard to not only protect us conceding a third goal but also to try and catch the on the counter attack which we very nearly did on several occasions. Defensively we were magnificent and Paddy and Johnny were fighting for everything in midfield. Harry also pulled off three great saves and the luck was going our way when the post was struck twice. The second was a ferrous shot from 30 yards which would have been worthy of winning any game. The final whistle went which meant a place in the semi-finals would have to be decided by penalty kicks. Paddy stepped up first and you'd have put your money on him, he's netted 3 times from the spot already this season but his legs had gone and the keeper guessed right to deny him. Johnny and Ross both converted but it was Zach who stepped up next and again you'd have fancied him given that he has great technique when striking a ball only for the keeper to pull of another great save. That meant if Botanic were to score we'd be out but cometh the hour cometh the man as Harry gave us a lifeline with a fine save. Jay netted and harry saved again so it meant sudden death. Ethan took responsibility and although it wasn't a clean strike he found the corner. Harry completed a fantastic hat-trick of saves to book our place in the semi-finals on Thursday evening.