Saturday 17th October, SSYFL U13 Final 2020 (delayed from March)
Dorkinians 1 v 2 Loxwood Magpies
Squad : Kinley, Harry P, Charlie C, Declan, Harry B, Nathan, Alex, Liam, Ethan, Chris, Charlie D, Daniel, Tom, Neo, Hamish, Rowan
Goals ; Alex, Neo
Picture : How it all Ended !!
Dorkinians 1 v 2 Loxwood Magpies
Squad : Kinley, Harry P, Charlie C, Declan, Harry B, Nathan, Alex, Liam, Ethan, Chris, Charlie D, Daniel, Tom, Neo, Hamish, Rowan
Goals ; Alex, Neo
Picture : How it all Ended !!
Back in January (when the world had a more normal feel to it), the Magpies embarked on a cup quarter final against strong opposition, in an attempt to defend the cup they had won the season before. The quarter final match was won via sudden death penalties, and the subsequent semi became a formality against a weaker opposition.
Fast forward to Saturday 17th Oct 2020 and the much anticipated final (delayed due to lockdown) was at last allowed to go ahead. The opposition this time were Dorkinians - a strong side who'd had the better of the Magpies over the previous 2 seasons.
The match was played at Dorking Wanderers' Meadow Bank stadium - a beautiful pitch inside a proper football stadium befitting their status as a National League South side just 2 tiers down from the league - a wonderful venue for such an occasion!!
The Magpies came into this match as the form team, having gained 4 wins and a draw so far this season and conceding only once during those matches. However, some factors came into play that the boys had to deal with; the opposition had been training at the venue for several weeks and had had plenty of time to adjust to the 4G surface and pitch size. In addition to this, Loxwood's Captain, Liam, had injured his ankle the night prior and was unable to take part. His physical presence and drive from midfield (and goal threat) would be missed. Despite these setbacks, the boys took to the field, roared on by a vociferous supporting contingent, and prepared to start the match.
The early running was shared between the two sides, but the bigger threat was coming from Dorkinians, and the whites had to make do with containing and trying to hit he opposition on the break. Some secure defending from the Magpies back four ensured that KInley in goal didn't have to make too many actual saves, but when he was called upon, he pulled off a 'worldy' save down low in the bottom corner. The Opposition coaches (in the cosy dugouts) leapt in the air as they were convinced it was going in, but no, KInley stretched every fibre in his body to keep it out. Big Moment no, 1 !!
Half time came, and in reality the Magpies needed it!!
Video : Kinley's great save
Fast forward to Saturday 17th Oct 2020 and the much anticipated final (delayed due to lockdown) was at last allowed to go ahead. The opposition this time were Dorkinians - a strong side who'd had the better of the Magpies over the previous 2 seasons.
The match was played at Dorking Wanderers' Meadow Bank stadium - a beautiful pitch inside a proper football stadium befitting their status as a National League South side just 2 tiers down from the league - a wonderful venue for such an occasion!!
The Magpies came into this match as the form team, having gained 4 wins and a draw so far this season and conceding only once during those matches. However, some factors came into play that the boys had to deal with; the opposition had been training at the venue for several weeks and had had plenty of time to adjust to the 4G surface and pitch size. In addition to this, Loxwood's Captain, Liam, had injured his ankle the night prior and was unable to take part. His physical presence and drive from midfield (and goal threat) would be missed. Despite these setbacks, the boys took to the field, roared on by a vociferous supporting contingent, and prepared to start the match.
The early running was shared between the two sides, but the bigger threat was coming from Dorkinians, and the whites had to make do with containing and trying to hit he opposition on the break. Some secure defending from the Magpies back four ensured that KInley in goal didn't have to make too many actual saves, but when he was called upon, he pulled off a 'worldy' save down low in the bottom corner. The Opposition coaches (in the cosy dugouts) leapt in the air as they were convinced it was going in, but no, KInley stretched every fibre in his body to keep it out. Big Moment no, 1 !!
Half time came, and in reality the Magpies needed it!!
Video : Kinley's great save
A couple of tweaks and chats; the second half resumed, and it was a nervous few minutes as no one wanted to make a mistake. Then, form a fairly innocuous position, a slight lapse in closing down led to a wonder strike from the opposition midfielder, and his shot thundered in the top corner, leaving Kinley with no chance at all.
Picture : Game faces on
Picture : Game faces on
This setback (conceding) was one we talked about in the warm up - the boys aren't used to conceding this season, and their reaction would be huge, either way. ....... Some further changes from both sides, some more defending and blocks, but the Magpies were starting to get some more joy in wide areas, and Tom and Chris had figured out how to play in between the 2 oppo midfielders, consequently getting us on the ball more and using it more wisely. The tackling was also better (another point made at half time), so the play was more even, and Alex was starting to get more and more possession on the left and his marauding runs from left back were allowing us to play higher up the pitch, and causing the opposition to play deeper.
One Magpies attack, on the right this time, was half crossed, half cleared and fell nicely to Alex, who took a couple of neat touches and then let fly with his left foot - straight into the top corner. What a strike. Big Moment no.2 !!!
Cue big celebrations - and the hardest job now was going to be recovering composure.
Video : The leveller
One Magpies attack, on the right this time, was half crossed, half cleared and fell nicely to Alex, who took a couple of neat touches and then let fly with his left foot - straight into the top corner. What a strike. Big Moment no.2 !!!
Cue big celebrations - and the hardest job now was going to be recovering composure.
Video : The leveller
There were around 15 minutes left, and the game was looking likely to go to penalties - and both sets of coaches were starting to plan penalty takers.
A few half chances for both teams, with the magpies looking the more likely to convert one, but a slight under-hit backpass from the normally ultra-reliable and neat 'Bubba' let the dangerman in, his half shot was saved by Kinley but rebounded back into his path, and he took aim. But Bubba had read it and applied a block. the ball falling back to the forward who then took aim at a half empty goal - it looked an easy chance and he aimed it precisely toward the bottom corner, well wide of Kinley's desperate dive. Again , everyone thought it had gone in, but somehow 'Bubba' stretched out a long leg and diverted it out for a corner. Unbelievable athleticism!!. Big moment no,3 !!.
Video : YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!
A few half chances for both teams, with the magpies looking the more likely to convert one, but a slight under-hit backpass from the normally ultra-reliable and neat 'Bubba' let the dangerman in, his half shot was saved by Kinley but rebounded back into his path, and he took aim. But Bubba had read it and applied a block. the ball falling back to the forward who then took aim at a half empty goal - it looked an easy chance and he aimed it precisely toward the bottom corner, well wide of Kinley's desperate dive. Again , everyone thought it had gone in, but somehow 'Bubba' stretched out a long leg and diverted it out for a corner. Unbelievable athleticism!!. Big moment no,3 !!.
Video : YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!
Relief for the boys who broke away and applied some more pressure with only a couple of minutes left. The ref gave a foul to the Magpies about 25 yards out, and Chris stepped up to take it. His powerful shot was finger tipped on to the cross bar thy the GK and then the ball dropped into the 6 yard box. Neo (whose clever inverted run had eluded the defence and the offside flag) was first to react and he smashed the ball emphatically into the net past the unlucky GK.
Big moment no.4 !!!
Absolute scenes ensued with wild goal celebrations !!!
There was the small matter of closing the game out though, and Dorkinians had one more half chance before the final whistle finally came - emotions were high and the boys celebrated passionately.
Video : Last Minute Winner
Big moment no.4 !!!
Absolute scenes ensued with wild goal celebrations !!!
There was the small matter of closing the game out though, and Dorkinians had one more half chance before the final whistle finally came - emotions were high and the boys celebrated passionately.
Video : Last Minute Winner
Video : From another angle - and listen folks to the rather amusing tannoy announcement at the end of the clip!!!
it took some time before order was reinstated and the presentation could take place. The trophy was lifted in front of the mass of parents and supporters, with smiles and hugs (safely done of course) aplenty.
Video : The trophy lift!!!
Video : The trophy lift!!!
The boys overcame some real challenges before and during the game, and in realty the match was fairly even, and a draw would have been a fair result, but the team that kept going to the end won out. And the team that could produce big moments when needed came out as winners. It was by no means the most polished of performances, but it's a cup final, and the magpies had won it!
Several really key performances that drove the team on, some dogged defending, and a requirement for some to play out of position in order to get the result. A notable spell of 25 mins from Tom in midfield which drove us on and provided some improvement in terms of possession, but the MOTM goes to Alex - his pivotal goal, boundless energy, and ever-increasing domination on the left aide was a performance to really note, Full of enterprise and guile, and with a maturity and discipline of someone older.
The day was rounded off perfectly with a trip back to 'the nest' to parade the trophy alongside the Senior's 1st team. Brilliant example of grassroots football in the community. Thanks to Mark and Garth , and the first team coaches and players for making the day extra special. And in a weird parallel twist the senior team also 2-1, also coming down from 1-0 and winning against all odds (having had a man sent off).
Thanks to Ness, Bik-Kay and Garth for the videos and photos.
Come on you Magpies!!!
Picture : A shared celebration
Several really key performances that drove the team on, some dogged defending, and a requirement for some to play out of position in order to get the result. A notable spell of 25 mins from Tom in midfield which drove us on and provided some improvement in terms of possession, but the MOTM goes to Alex - his pivotal goal, boundless energy, and ever-increasing domination on the left aide was a performance to really note, Full of enterprise and guile, and with a maturity and discipline of someone older.
The day was rounded off perfectly with a trip back to 'the nest' to parade the trophy alongside the Senior's 1st team. Brilliant example of grassroots football in the community. Thanks to Mark and Garth , and the first team coaches and players for making the day extra special. And in a weird parallel twist the senior team also 2-1, also coming down from 1-0 and winning against all odds (having had a man sent off).
Thanks to Ness, Bik-Kay and Garth for the videos and photos.
Come on you Magpies!!!
Picture : A shared celebration
