CUP GAME
Horwich 2 v U 13's 0
This Cup Semi final was decided ultimately by a long range effort which eluded the static Hamilton in the second half just as Billinge threatened to get back into the game after conceding a penalty after 12 minute. This inspired Horwich to a performance which must rank as their best of the season to send Horwich into a final which Billinge , sadly, would not have been able to play even if they had won this game.
Life sometimes deals a killer blow when you least expect it and that was what happened today. Maybe it was the teams unshakable self belief that all they had to do was to turn up and win and also that they could not play in the final, which demonstrated itself in a below par performance today. Conversely Horwich came to the game knowing their season hinged on this game one can only guess that the two different mindsets produced a shock result which no-one would have predicted given the previous two games against Horwich.
Horwich were first to the ball in midfield and out fought the central areas and whilst Sinnott and Frederick were missed that cannot be regarded as an excuse as Owen and Rooke deputised well enough but only two players did themselves justice today, one being man of the match Saxon and the other Bibby.
Having said that the quality of service to the front two of Leyland and Rooke was restricted to long high balls forward which produced only one shot on goal in the first half from Rooke, from the edge of the box.
Hamilton was by far the busier of the keepers with fives shots to save, one from point blank range after the second goal was scored and the other goal coming from a penalty after Saxon was adjudged to have handballed on the line after 12 minutes meant the boys were up against it. Add to that Horwich also hitting the cross bar in the second half and a Leyland miss at 2-0 with 10 minutes to go which may have given Billinge hope and it was not to be our day today.
The boys were eventually due a bad performance having only lost four games, including county cups, all season with only one game lost at home.
They say you learn in defeat and appreciate victories more and in the coming days that message will be reinforced to the team as they strive to get a point, if required against Westhoughton a week today to hopefully tie up the League.
Hopefully two League wins and a determined effort in the Blackpool tournament now will produce two Trophies at the end of the season.
MOM - Saxon