Cup Quarter Final v Woodbank, Fantastic Victory - won 2-1 Options

[Becky E]

Starting Line Up – Callum (Curly), Aidan, Saul, Joe, Josh, Nathan, Tristan
On the bench – Will

Won 2-1 Scorers – Tristan and Will

This is the first time this season that these two teams have met and with a place in the semi final at stake neither team wanted to lose. From the off, Vulcan’s started very strong, within seconds of kick off Vulcan’s had won a corner. Josh delivered the corner in with precision to Tristan who volleyed it straight into the back of the net. 1-0 Vulcan’s. Vulcan’s continued the attack and a great save from the keeper shortly after prevented Nathan from joining Tristan on the score sheet. The pace of the game stepped up a gear with end to end action. Woodbank came back on the attack but thanks to a fantastic save from ‘Curly’ they weren’t able to equalize. Vulcan’s were on the attack again but thanks to the shouting from the spectators, the referee awarded Woodbank a free kick after claims of a hand ball. A terrific long range shot in the top corner provided the equalizer. Not to be disheartened Vulcan’s came back strong. Nathan and Josh switched wings to try a different attack formation. Vulcan’s continued to work hard, with Aidan intercepting a Woodbank attack, and then made a great run himself. Aidan released the ball over the top to Tristan who’s determination to keep the ball in play won Vulcan’s a corner. Josh again took the corner which was floated into the penalty spot area, where Saul was able to pounce on the loose ball on the edge of the box and let fly a screamer of a shot which unfortunately just went wide of the target. Just before half time Will replaced Nathan on the left wing, and was immediately brought into the action.

Second half

Vulcan’s started as strong as they did in the first half, and pressed well on Woodbank’s goal. Vulcan’s could not penetrate though, with a great volley from Aidan forcing the keeper to make a great save. The corner that followed delivered in dangerously from Josh found Tristan again, but Tristan’s header just went inches wide. Joe worked tirelessly in midfielder, his great attacking headers preventing Woodbank’s attack. Tristan and Will then swopped positions to bring a new attacking dimension to the game. Tristan’s skillful maneuver along the wing forced a throw in to Vulcan’s. Super Saul launched a tremendously high and long throw in which was flicked on by Joe to Will who had a great shot but unfortunately was just wide of the target.

Josh & Tristan played some intrinsic passing to beat their midfield and set Will off. Unfortunately shot after shot from many of the Vulcan’s players could not find the back of the net. Tristan worked well down the right wing, after beating his man passed a great ball to Joe who flicked it onto to Josh. Josh worked hard near the corner flag and never gave up. His determination to keep the ball paid off, and won the ball to enable a pass back to Joe. Joe then passed to Will whose hard and low shot rippled the back of the net to give Marauders a well deserved 2-1 lead.

Marauders shut up shop and worked well as a team to keep the lead. Joe was formidable in mid field, with header after header to keep Vulcan’s on the attack. Great communication between Saul and Aidan at the back meant that Woodbank found it almost impossible to penetrate the Vulcan’s goal, on the odd occasion they did Curly’s safe hands were unbeatable. With minutes to go Josh battled hard along the wing to prevent a Woodbank attack. Josh managed to pass the ball to Joe who played it back to release Josh on goal. Josh after beating the Woodbank defender had a dig at goal from long range but was beaten by the keeper. Joe then intercepted the goal kick from Woodbank and passed out wide to Tristan, who took on and beat the Woodbank defence with his fast feet. Tristan kept possession and crossed the ball into the box, Woodbank managed to clear but only as far as Saul. Saul responded back with a fantastic first time shot that left the keeper standing but frustratingly whistled just millimeters pass the post.

The ref then blew for full time and deservedly Vulcan’s are through to the semi-final and a step nearer to the Cup! Well done everyone…