Venceremos v The Plough (Sunday Intermediate
Cup Semi Finals 2003/2004) March 7th
Venceremos 0 - 1 The Plough
It was the V’s biggest fixture of the season so far as they looked
to book their place in the Sunday Intermediate Cup Final. Standing between
the V’s and the final stood Plough Wanderers. Selection was difficult
for the boss, but made easier by the benched Rob Peck, sidelined by suspension
for violent conduct in a previous round.
The game began at a typically frenetic pace, with both sides looking
to stamp their physical authority on the game. Lack of quality was compensated
with commitment, as both sides gave away possession. (Nobby intentionally
doing so to set himself up with his customary hospital tackles.)
Plough sustained the first pressure of the half with a succession of
corners that were rigidly defended by the V’s. Then, mid way through
the second half some good interplay in midfield released Clarke down
the wing. A drop of the shoulder and an early pinpoint cross saw Wilmott
meet the ball with a thundering header. The ball cannoned off the bar
and was cleared to safety.
This marked the beginning of an attacking
spell of pressure from the V’s. The Plough back line remained resolute,
but were willing to give away free kicks in an attempt to stop Wilmott's
ariel domination.
Cuell was given the opportunity to get some good balls into the box.
The first,
he sliced
onto the other pitch to the right, however having changed his boots to
the correct feet, the second and third deliveries proved far more effective.
A loose ball from
one
of these free kicks broke to Pragnell on the edge
of the area, and with the grace of Maradona, Pragnell collapsed onto
the ball and blazed it over the bar. Another fell to Fuller on the edge
of
the
area, we shall say no more about it. Goal kick.
The half ended with chances at the other end for The Plough, however
a combination of good defending from the V’s, and lack of composure
from The Plough resulted in both teams going in 0-0 at half time.
An inspirational team talk from the boss saw the team fired up for the
second half and wanting that place in the final all the more. The V’s
racked up 20 minutes of sustained pressure with strong tackling in midfield
from Thurman and Pragnell, however achieved few shots on target. The
best chance of this spell fell to Clarke on the far post, but he
could only direct the volley goal wards, to see his shot / scuff
saved by the
athletically compromised Plough keeper.
This pressure bought a little complacency about the V’s and The
Plough took full advantage of this with a goal on the break. A quick
throw to the number nine saw him swivel and play a diagonal ball onto
the advancing right midfielder. V’s, 0 The Plough 1.
With the V’s now needing a goal the game began its final quarter
very stretched. V’s pushed for a goal but found it difficult to
sustain pressure and get shots on target. The Plough Goalkeeper identifying
this, felt inclined to enter a spell of circus play on the V’s
behalf. Rushing out of his area to intercept a long pass, he miss-controlled
the ball in front of Wilmott. Wilmott pounced, but the keeper avoided
a goal by a dubious lunge in combination with a last ditch tackle from
the centre back. The ball broke to Clarke on the edge of the area who
shot first time, only to see the ball intercepted by the hand of the
sliding defender. Shouts for a penalty rang around the ground but neither
the referee nor linesman looked to give it. Ball to hand was the verdict,
though had he picked it up and ran with it (which wasn’t far from
what he did) this referee was not going to give it.
A second goalmouth scramble eluded the V’s a goal once more, and
The Plough started to believe it would be their day. A free kick from
Bray shaved the top of the bar and Nijjar (on as a substitute for Pragnell)
thundered in a tame back pass to the keeper from a similar position.
With the game stretched still further The Plough began to create a number
of opportunities themselves, but were prevented a second goal by some
excellent saves from Butcher in goal and a number of last ditch tackles
from Walsh and Hayes. Not to mention a sithing tackle in the area from
Cuell, cleanly taking the man and leaving the ball well behind. The referee
saw fit not to give the spot kick, perhaps compensating for the earlier
handball incident not given at the other end.
With the game slipping away from the V’s Hayes was pushed up from
the defence as a make shift striker. With only minutes to spare the ball
broke to Clarke on the left wing from a great first time ball from Bray.
Clarke drew out the centre back and squared the ball across the face
of the goal for Hayes to bury. Hayes, with the instinct of a natural
striker no where to be seen, stopped, and the ball skidded past him.
Minutes later the final whistle blew and the dream ended for the V’s.
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