Blues grab last minute winner in Play-off thriller

So into the last Saturday of the season & the Blues were sitting in 6th place & relying on other sides dropping points to get into a play-off spot. That was provided they won this game against Hornchurch who were already relegated. I know many people were avidly watching results elsewhere & several tried to update me during the game but it was all irrelevant if we didn’t win.

Jim recalled fit again Steve Sutherland into the starting eleven & Jay Lovett was unlucky to drop down to the bench. We ran a `pay what you want` day at the turnstiles & coupled that with Imber Court kindly doing a `Football special` with 50p off a pint. I was given the attendance as 150 but there seemed to be more inside the ground enjoying the April sunshine.

The Blues started brightly and inside the opening 15 minutes had several good chances to open the scoring. Joe Turner headed on a through ball & burst between the central defenders, before unleashing a low left foot drive that Sam Mott did well to get down & save. Nikki Ahamed then linked up with Jake Reid and a one –two inside the box put Nikki in on goal but again Mott blocked his shot well.

More chances for the Blues falling to Billy Crook on two occasions but he just couldn’t get the ball clear of his feet to shoot. Bradley Hudson – Odoi switched flanks after 25 minutes with Joe Turner & almost immediately put in a great cross to the far post that both Billy Crook & Joe Turner just missed connecting with.

It began to look like one of those days when we wouldn’t score & Hornchurch started to come into the game a lot more. They had two glorious chances just before the break & the Blues needed a strong resolute challenge from Elliot Taylor to keep one out.
They had a strong shout for a penalty as the half closed but closer examination of the video at half time showed the referee was correct as the alleged handball was outside the box. I also thought it was very close to Rob Bartley & more ball to hand than the opposite.

Half Time Met Police 0 AFC Hornchurch 0

The interval was full of people checking phones & scores elsewhere but this game was far from a foregone conclusion as the visitors defied their league position & relegated status. It seemed inevitable that a goal would come & Hornchurch deservedly took the lead in the 51st minute. A break down the Hornchurch right and a cross to the far post as the Blues frantically backpedalled into their own box. The ball was headed back across goal to the penalty spot where Joey May placed a right foot shot that went in off the post with Stuart Searle stranded.

Conceding the goal seemed to inspire the Blues into life as they realised their play-off hopes were over unless they scored twice. They finally got the ball into the net in the 68th minute when Bradley Hudson-Odoi scored after a flick on by Joe Turner but it was ruled out for offside. 70th minute & next chance falls to Simon Mur after a great run & cross by Joe Turner found Simon unmarked but he lifted his shot over from 12 yards out.

The Blues were now creating chances as the game went into the last 20 minutes & Joe Turner lifted a right foot shot over the bar after Jay Lovett crossed from the right. Rob Bartley had moved up front after Jake Reid was replaced & the Blues started to look dangerous.

It did seem like this was not going to be the Blues day as so many chances went begging & those on target were being blocked or saved by a Hornchurch side who played as if their survival depended on the result. It would take something significant for the Blues to score & finally in the 82nd minute it came. Elliot Taylor showed his skill & determination winning a 50/50 ball at best in midfield that left him & one other Blues player prostrate on the floor. The referee waved an advantage and Billy Crook played a trademark incisive pass to Joe Turner who controlled the ball & then drove a left foot shot into the bottom corner finally beating Mott.

The relief was tangible but now we had under 10 minutes to get another goal. To be fair, James Aldred & Steve Noakes both told me just before the goal went in that they felt we would score. Aldo also confidently announced that the game would not finish 1-0 and if we scored one we would probably get a second!

A frantic last ten minutes with the Blues throwing everything forward & I put my pen & paper away as I joined the watching reserves & squad players in kicking & heading every ball. Into the 89th minute and a cross into the box was punched clear but only to Rob Bartley who swivelled and threw out a long leg and smashed a glorious right foot shot over the keeper into the roof of the net.

The celebrations were ecstatic & even Phil Cramp managed to join in along the touchline `Jose Mourinho` style with less hair but almost as grey. Five minutes added time agonisingly dragged past & Hornchurch forced a corner kick in the last minute that had most inside the ground holding their breath for different reasons!

Eventually the final whistle blew & the Blues celebrated….but not sure what we were celebrating due to the debacle over Enfield Towns FA finding of guilt for fielding an ineligible player. The results elsewhere had not gone in the Blues favour so as it stands we are 6th in the table pending a decision over Enfield Town who are 5th and just a point ahead of the Blues.

Post match & both First team & reserves came together in the main bar at Imber Court for player of the year awards & presentations. Ian Pendry presented Alex Harlington with the reserve team players of the year award & very well deserved from the games I have watched this season. Club chairman Des Flanders then presented the players player of the year award after a stirring speech by Jim Cooper. The award was jointly shared by Rob Bartley & Billy Crook and the supporters’ player of the year went to Billy Crook.

Team 1. Stuart Searle, 2. Elliot Taylor, 3. Will Salmon, 4. Billy Crook, 5. Rob Bartley, 6. Steve Sutherland, 7. Joe Turner, 8. Nikki Ahamed, 9. Jake Reid, 10. Charlie Collins, 11. Bradley Hudson - Odoi,

Subs: 12. Ricardo Joseph (replaced 8 – 87 mins), 14. Jay Lovett (replaced 9 – 66 mins), 15. Ronayne Marsh - Brown, 16. Simon Mur (replaced 10 – 60 mins), 17. Scott Tarr

Match Highlights here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBswBD4lhJM&feature=youtu.be

Post match interview with Jim Cooper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVNRLj0w64