​I don’t like semi-finals. I support Tottenham….
 
1993 vs Arsenal, 1995 vs Everton, 1999 vs Newcastle, 2001 vs Arsenal, 2010 vs Portsmouth, 2012 vs Chelsea, 2017 vs Chelsea, 2018 vs Man United… that’s 8! Yes, you read correctly 8 semi-final defeats in a row. An FA Cup record L
 
So, it was with some trepidation that I awoke to the bright Sussex sunshine this morning contemplating the semi-final of the Vipers vs Albury Griffins.
 
The ground looked splendid. A quick check in the executive boxes of the West Stand found Emily Smith very excited and ready to go. Questioned on how her brothers might play this morning our resident pundit stated, “I think they will both do as well as each other”.
  
A quick warm-up for the lads, a rousing team talk and then the magnificent sight of “Commander Cameron” on the field reading specific tactical instruction out to Charlie – watch your backs Paul and Vinny!

​The referee arrived and immediately smelling salts were required as the female contingent went weak at knees – at least it made a change from the weekly event of them all batting their eyelids at Steve Smith! He was a very organised referee and as this was a semi-final Keanu Reeves lined up both teams and walked them out onto the pitch – all that was missing what the Champions League theme tune. Or the noise of a bus backing up with has been reported to be the theme tune of the European Super League!
 
The whistle blew, the game commenced, George bellowed encouragement and a very lively encounter started with a lot of activity right from the off. The suspicion was that this level of effort couldn’t be sustained without Coach Paul having a lively substitution strategy. The level of effort was the feature of the game.
 
Right from the off the Vipers looked dangerous and at the task in hand very quickly. Cam immediately started dominating the midfield using his size advantage, getting his foot on the ball and providing some very clever attacking passing play. William and Raff up front were dangerous from the start also – particularly impressive was the pressing from Raff who was playing the lone striker in the middle as our talisman Jody was missing. This pressing was causing Albury to clear the ball at haste and stifling any rhythm they were trying to get into their game.

​George was very safe at the back and looked in a comfortable mood – although his insistence to use his feet rather than hands had Coach Pauls hands in his head at times. Also pleasing and an early feature was the no-nonsense defending at the back. We come to expect that from Harry J but Sebby and Fin were instrumental in this back 3 throughout the game playing the simple balls to dispel danger when it arose.
 
Albury were dangerous at this point in the game. A mazey run from their left winger flashed the ball across goal, foxed George and as we all had our hearts in our mouths Cam cleared off the line. The balance of play was shifting though, and the Vipers were looking increasingly dangerous in attack. William had a number of corners, all delivered very well, one in particular flashing across the goal at speed that just needed the smallest of flicks to create a real problem.
 
Harry and Oscar entered the frame from the subs bench after about 20 mins and this new energy on the field from the pair of them changed the dynamic immediately. Harry continued straight from where he left off last week and decided to play his own separate game of football vs Albury. He maneuvered himself into a dangerous position that resulted in an illegal barge off the ball. Not for the first in the game George Clooney in the middle of the pitch let play go before pulling it back citing no advantage, explained his decision and pulled play for a Loxwood free-kick. Excellent refereeing. The resulting free-kick from Cam was well taken but a brave Albury wall stood firm.
 
An Albury corner was handled by the trusty back 3 and released to Oscar. With huge energy he ran the length of the pitch and although brilliant play you sensed if it was released that could have been the chance. It wouldn’t be long though…..
 
The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Harry again worked himself into space in a fairly congested penalty box and forced a save from the Albury keeper – he followed up and his persistence paid off as the keeper struggled to hold it and Harry poked it past him for 1-0.
 
Now, we cried, it was time to “keep it simple”. Batten down the hatches and get to half-time at 1-0 and refresh. The Vipers however had other ideas. They pressed hard and there was a barrage of 3 or 4 chances – it was happening so fast it remains undocumented! They say fortune favours the brave and it was a bit of fortune that bought the second goal. William again placing a beautiful cross at speed, this one low to the ground, which clipped an unfortunate Albury outstretched leg and looped over their stranded keeper who really couldn’t do anything about it. Respect shown by the parent contingent who refrained a celebration of note.
 
Brad Pitt restarted the game and Albury attacked demonstrating that they were still in this but the human stallion then blew the whistle for half-time and Loxwood went in 2-0 up.

​Vinny took the majority of the half-time talk, pointing out his observations and areas for the lads to improve and see this home. Refreshments onboard and the second half commenced.
 
The boys came out once again with a very strong start. An initial cross from the right by Harry that Raff couldn’t quite meet. Albury attacked, but this was repelled by Sebby and Harry J.  George gained control and our trusty keeper released the ball quickly to provide a route one chance for Harry S that just skimmed past the post.
 
A short time after though our man mountain Cam had to come off. Oh no! An injury! Was it a hamstring? Was it a metatarsal? A detailed examination determined that he had drunk too much Lucozade at half-time and his tummy hurt! Probably quite good for Cam that Vinny Jones is not our coach J
 
The front three (Charlie playing a little more advanced now) were starting to cause havoc. Charlie hit the side netting after bursting through. Moments later a cross from Charlie arrived to Raff who placed it to Harry who blasted over. Would the Vipers regret these missed opportunities?
 
This question was answered in part in the 34th minute. A clearance by the keeper resulted in a very strong directed header in midfield from Charlie that landed in the path of Harry. With the keeper off his line Harry didn’t hesitate and beautifully floated it over his head into the bottom corner for 3-0.
 
The Vipers had control now but it wasn’t all one way, defending still had to be done as Albury continued to threaten. Harry typified the energy of all the lads when a attacking corner was cleared by Albury who switched to attack. This was broken down though as Harry S was back tracking in a defensive midfield rear guard action.
 
The Vipers pressure was wound up and the Albury keeper was doing well. He bravely dived at Charlies feet and repelled a stinger from Raff in a 1:1. It took a really sublime piece of skill from William Fielden to get the 4th a put the result beyond doubt (even with 18 mins to go). With the ball at his feet he took one look up and delicately chipped the ball over the heads of the Albury defence for it to land in slow motion in the bottom left-hand corner for 4-0.
 
Another Albury corner was dealt with and with Cam back on the pitch he raced forward up the left. He worked himself into a lovely position but got caught between a decision to shoot or cross and the ball floated across the goal just past the far-left post.
 
There were a number of Loxwood corners in this period of the game, one of which resulted in a lovely half volley from Cam just flashing wide. In the middle of the field Harry J showed a sublime piece of skill by twisting and turning two players and walking away with the ball while the opposition wondered where the ball had gone.
 
Albury heads were down a little (understandably) and in the 52nd minute they didn’t deal with a ball in defence that Harry S leapt on to walk the ball into the net for 5-0. A hat-trick for Harry S!
 
With the hat-trick completed Coach Paul substituted both Harry S and Oscar who both came off the field to a rousing applause – well deserved lads.
 
The boys continued though. Raff showing his desire to get a well-deserved to goal by bravely challenging the Albury defence and getting winded. David Beckham halted play and signalled for Coach Paul to come onto the pitch and assist him. The Coach was “having a chat” and missed the signal, but more importantly so did the female contingent – that could have been their moment.
 
Raff had three further chances however it was his unselfish play at the death that put Charlie through when he could have advanced himself. Charlie had time to think but was very calm as he slotted it past the keeper with his left foot to make it 6-0.
 
There was hardly time for the restart and as soon as it did Tom Hardy blew up for full-time and the Vipers advance to the final.

​A brilliant effort from all on the field. Both teams contested the game fairly and from the. 1st to the 60th. So often over the years we have seen games where Loxwood have not been rewarded for their endeavor – this time they were. Albury for their part were valiant and it probably is fair to say that the first two quick goals made all the difference as is often the case.
 
Everyone went home happy. Tessa went home in love……..
 
For this author it’s been a long wait for the semi-final win. Thank you very much lads. It was worth it!
 
Final word to Coach Paul and Harry Smith with that match ball…..

Quite a journey to Woking was in no way dampened as a beautiful sunny morning greeted the lads and a very excited Vipers team (bolsted considerable by the generous Cobras) saw our long awaited return to competitive football as we met Goldsworth Sea Lions in a league game.
 
There was much pre-match nervousness and apprehension as the Smiths arrived on time (following the hire of O’Mara Cabs) and concerns were raised that their unusual punctuality may be a jinx. Just as concerning was the absence of our trusty goalkeeper George during the warm up however after a search party was sent out he was located prior to kick-off.
 
Warm-ups completed, detailed tactical words of wisdom delivered, jumpers removed and football was back in the bright sunshine!!!!
 
The lads started well. In particular Raff on the right with some trickery and wizardry that created early pressure and trouble for Goldsworth who seemed organised at the back in decent numbers. During this period a lot of confusion reigned as their goalkeeper fumbled a shot through his legs to for him to then dive back over the line and retrieve. The ref ruled “no goal” which in the spirit of the game and considering the error may have been fair – no VAR required.
 
The Vipers were creating the majority of the chances. Notable were Cody winning the ball in midfield, turning a phase in play, pushing the ball to Raff who knocked it to Jody in a 1:1 situation. Their goalkeeper was resolute to the challenge though and looked assured. Charlie looped in a long cross. That fooled everyone and just looped over the Goldsworth defence, Loxwood attack and their keeper sailing just over the bar.  Raff remained a menace on the right. and William was industrious as ever over on the left creating a nice balance to our attacking line.
 
Goldsworth came back into the game and were certainly quicker to the ball and retaining possession better in midfield. However, George looking assured in goal and in particular Harry J mopping up a lot of balls with simple clearances it all looked quite manageable. Harry Smith came on for Willem – it was warm out there and after such a long lockdown break this would be a game that would require multiple changes to allow for some rest bite.
 
A Goldsworth free kick was awarded from quite some distance (mid-way to the halfway line) and with the guys probably not set-up as well as Coach Paul would have wanted the Goldsworth lad chanced his arm and looped a long free kick straight over the entire defence, over George and into the top right-hand corner. There really was nothing that could be done about this beautiful shot (I think it was a shot) and you just need to pick yourself up and move on - well that. was the rallying cry anyway! 20 mins gone, 1-0 Goldsworth.
 
The lads were in no way out of this and to be honest on the balance of play you would have expected that the Vipers would be able to play themselves back into it. However, just a minute later and some extremely uncharacteristic play from two of our most reliable players over the years handed a 2-0 lead to Goldsworth. Harry J hit a hard pass back to George who at that speed couldn’t control it properly and blasted it directly into the path of a Goldsworth player pressing. There was still work to do but with George off his line now the Goldsworth player hit it first time chipping George who was stranded. A very nice piece of skill. Deflation. Two goals needed.
 
With their tails up Goldsworth came back into the game and in a crazy 5-minute period it truly was end to end. Jody had a further two 1:1s clear with the keeper who was was just doing enough to keep him out while George redeemed himself with some very brave keeping at the other end. Harry Smith and Willem were was causing trouble everywhere and won multiple corners but the Vipers just couldn’t seem to get someone on the end of anything with that vital touch. The 1st half ended quite flat with the scoreline at 2-0 and Paul had some work to do.

The 2nd half started, and a tactical change was made with Oscar on for William. Harry Smith moved into Williams left. wing position and started the half very bright – continually twisting and turning in the left corner and getting the ball across the face of goal.
 
The midfield continued to struggle to stamp their authority on the game and most chances were being created on the break. A good example of interplay as Charlie won a header, picked up by Harry and Jody just bobbling the ball wide. What did the boys need to do to score?
 
Charlie came off for a rest break, replaced by William and Raff was also rested. Chances continued at both ends and it did start to feel “like one of those days” – as the game was stretched Goldsworth were getting more clear chances and to be fair 3-0 did seem to be on the cards.
 
Notable chances for Loxwood included a stinging shot from Jody, a Jody shot flashing just wide of the post as the keeper was beaten and Harry S not being composed enough and blasting over the bar. That said, the Goldsworth keeper was having a blinder, well positioned and brave with a little bit of luck it was starting to look like his day.
 
The game stretched and it seemed that a 2-0 deficit was going to be a bridge too far however a consolation goal probably was deserved and after another string of chances William came closest after rounding the keeper who was ably supported by a last defender as the ball was cleared off the line. George continued to play well keeping the score to just the two goals – a strong save from their #5 in a 1:1 most noticeable. The final piece of play came from a Charlie attempt that was followed up by William and blasted over.
 
The game was played in a great spirit, officiated excellently by the ref who communicated throughout and gave encouragement to both sides. Well done to all involved.
 
The boys should be proud that they picked themselves back up and worked so hard to the final whistle. This really was a lesson on being decisive in front of goal and taking your chances.
 
Raffety was awarded a well-deserved man of the match on the Loxwood side. Personally, I would say certainly the most improved player in both training and practice matches pre- and post-lockdown restrictions. Well done Raff!
 
Last word goes to Jody and Harry J
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