Cup Defeat for the Tangerine Army

With games across the country called off due to frozen pitches, the tangerine army were in action at Kettering’s 3g stadium in match one of the Alan Dimmer Trophy (think champions league format)

We were underway on a surface that could suit our style of play, building play from the back keeping the ball on the floor where we could. The first 10 minutes of the game was a fairly even game with Sands creating the first chance of the game, the Ise keeper looks up to De Gea as he saved with his feet.

On kettering Ise's first real attack of the game, their attacker got to the byline, pulled the pass back to the edge of the area and their attacker hit the ball into the top right-hand corner into the net via the crossbar.
Sands United then continued to create efforts on Goal as Best Bryans, Gavin and Allen Combined only for all attempts to be saved by the keeper’s feet.

Around the 30 minute mark Sands won a free kick in their own half Gavin stepped up to take it. The opposition keeper re-enacted David Seaman vs Real Zaragoza 1995 and was lobbed by Leon ‘Nayim’ Gavin.

Sands finished the half strongly as the imposed their football on the opposition forcing a corner which after a scramble fell to the giant Hales who hit the ball with pure venom, it crashed down off the bar and was adjudged to have not crossed the line. (Sands United have now joined the campaign for goal line technology to be available in all Sunday league games)

Half time 1-1

Second half Sands started brightly with a couple of shots at goal, before the game became a midfield battle martialled well by the impressive Bryans and Hales.

Then a fine move by the boys in blue saw the ball fall to Gavin in the box he took a touch and finished emphatically, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. (Sands United now lead the campaign for VAR to be introduced into Sunday League)
Then not long after a long ball by Ise found their attacker who won the footrace as he got to the ball first before the oncoming Barker and clipped it over him into the net for 2-1

A beautiful move started from the back with Blake looking to move us up pitch lead to a throw in on the left hand side, it was quickly taken and soon found its way to Gavin who feeling confident from his first goal decided to try an effort from 35 yards out on the touch line, the ball looped right into the back of the net, an absolute peach of a goal.
2-2 game on

With 10 minutes remaining the ref overturned the linesman’s call for a goal kick awarded a corner to Ise which eventually lead to a cross from the right which skimmed off the head of defender Sharp for a beautifully finished own goal. 3-2 and not what the boys deserved.
Sands being sands we don’t give up easily and kept pushing til the last minute, where coincidentally we were awarded a corner.
Barker joined up hoping to cause some problems, he ran all the way from the comfort of his penalty area, the cross was headed out it was falling beautifully for the number 99, he has the vision in his head as to where the ball is going to end up, he calls Christie 5 times telling him to leave it whilst his eyes are lighting up like a kid at xmas, the keeper was gonna save the day, only for Christie to ignore and hit his own shot which ended up in the penalty area. Barker will never let him live it down.
Full time 3-2 to Kettering Ise Lodge.

We go again.