Ambers Progress To County Cup Final

We welcomed Brunsmeer Athletic of the Sheffield Fair Play League to Olivers Mount for what was always going to be a closely fought contest, and so it proved to be the case. Manager Jack Dawes had taken a sneak preview of the opposition a few weeks previously, but it was a very different Brunsmeer side that entered the field of play on the day. Both teams had a good record to their names this season, though Brunsmeer had played a lot less games, so there was a lot of pride at stake, besides a place in the County Cup final.
The game got off to a good start for the visitors, who pressed high and fast from the first whistle, and the young ambers were finding it difficult, especially in the middle of the park, where Brunsmeer always seemed to have that extra man available. After 15mins, ambers boss Jack Dawes brought off a forward to shore up the creaking midfield, who despite lots of running around, were having little effect on the game in those early stages. Having the extra help in the midfield seemed to do the trick, and the ambers started to see more of the ball and were able to get a better hold of their opponents in that area of the pitch. It wasn’t pretty, but, needs are as needs must. Handsworth started to steady the ship and brought themselves more into the game.
The first half ended goal-less without any real threat to either goal, the match getting bogged down in the midfield areas.
HT: HPFC U21 0 v 0 Brunsmeer Athletic
Whilst Brunsmeer had had the best of the first 25 minutes, Handsworth had gained the initiative, and started the second half as they had ended the first, by pressing their opponents quicker and not letting them have time on the ball. Brunsmeer had also put a lot of work into the first 30 mins of the game, but some tired legs were starting to show. Handsworth were enjoying much more sustained periods of possession, but could not knit it together in the final third. Brunsmeer were predominantly now trying to catch Handsworth on the break, but in truth, never really tested home goalkeeper Joe Taylor.
The ambers were getting closer the longer the game went on, but were not able to garner any serious attempt on goal until late in the second half. A corner was given on the left and a great ball delivered into the area. An amber head got to the ball first where a scramble ensued, but the ref had blown for someone climbing over the defender, but no one was sure quite who the guilty party was. The half withered away until the final whistle, with no one able to push themselves in front.
FT: HPFC U21 0 v 0 Brunsmeer Athletic
So we went into extra time. The young ambers had had by far the better of the second half, but now we had some tired legs starting to show. A few changes were made, with Theo Wilson coming on up front and given the job of using his fresh legs to run past the Brunsmeer defence and see what he could do. Two minutes later he’d been booked for a foul on the keeper, but it showed the opposition he wasn’t to be intimidated.

A serious shout for a penalty in both halves of extra time went unanswered by the officials, which was harsh, definitely in one case on the ambers. Lots more chances were coming the way of Handsworth but desperate defending and good goal-keeping were keeping us at bay. Then, in the 118th minute, the vital breakthrough came. The ball was won in the amber half and quickly released forward , before looking as though it had been deflected clear to the right of the Brunsmeer goal, but Theo Wilson raced to it and volleyed it back towards goal where it evaded some desperate attempts to clear and nestled into the bottom left hand corner of the net. For a slight lad, Theo did well to withstand the bundle of bodies that dived on and engulfed him. It was the perfect time to score, leaving Brunsmeer with no time to really get back into the game, and the final whistle soon came, to the joy of both players, coaches and supporters alike.
AET: HPFC U21 1 v 0 Brunsmeer Athletic

Summary:
The enduring spirit that has become a trademark of this U21 team was a major factor in tonight’s game. There are a lot of young men in the team who have grown up fast this season and will not be pushed around or beaten. For the first half hour, they withstood a tremendous push by their opponents before eventually wearing them down and dominating the last hour of the game and then extra time. Enormous credit needs to go to some of those lads for whom this was the 4th game in 5 days. To a man, they epitomised the strength and character that is becoming endemic within the club, and which guided them to an inaugural cup final at U21 level. I have nothing but praise for the effort and commitment that they gave to myself and Steve tonight, and to the club in general, to achieve what at the beginning of the season must have seemed like some lofty ambitions but which are fast becoming reality.