LANCASHIRE CUP
U13 1 v Gregson Lane 1 ( lost 2-1 on penalties )
This was our first attempt in the Lancashire Cup and we came up against a very good team from Preston – Gregson Lane.
We started very well and were closing them down and passing the ball around.
Nick and Jack were doing well and Tom H was having his best game of the season at left midfield.
Gregson Lane created problems down our right hand side, and Michael had his work cut out playing against their no 10, although in all fairness he held his own against him.
It was from a pass back from Michael to Nick that we scored our goal – Michael layed the ball off and Nick hit a great shot from outside the box, over the despairing keeper. 1-0.
We continued to play well and came into half time with a 1-0 lead.
Gregson Lane moved their best player (No 10) into centre midfield for the 2nd half and he caused us lots of problems.
For most of the half we were on the back foot with Gregson hitting the crossbar twice, having a shot cleared off the line by Reece and putting a penalty wide.
It really was backs to the wall stuff, with Tom S playing brilliantly, ably supported by Luke and Adam in nets, who made a number of good saves.
Eventually the pressure told and they equalised with a well taken shot. 1-1
We managed to hold on until full time, at which point we had 20 minutes extra time.
I don’t bite my nails, but after today and Saints on Friday – I don’t have any left !!!!!!
Extra time was end to end, with us eventually putting Myles upfront to try and get the winner – to no avail.
A penalty shoot out it was, with us taking the first one. Nick managed to convert it. 1-0 to us. They missed their first one and we had a chance to win. Unfortunately we didn’t manage to score another penalty, due mainly to good saves by their keeper, and they scored 2, to win 2-1.
A great game, - the boys should be proud of themselves – they played well against a good side and didn’t let themselves down – with a little more composure and luck we could have got through to the next round.
Final result – 1-1, then lost 2-1 on penalties.