Fine Margins

Our first final since 11/12 and although this ended in defeat aswell, our performance has banished the memories of our previous final appearance which was a shocker.

Firstly a huge thanks to Sam for going in goal and to Baulds for acting as his deputee. Both were carrying injuries into the game which prevented them from playing outfield, but both had desire to be involved on Cup Final day and do a job for the team.

Secondly another thanks to the many who were playing through injuries. Recently we have lost the likes of Ryan and Ash to knee injuries, but Trigg, Luca, Oli, Rich, Charlie and probably a few others stuck it out for us today. A few playing when they really ought not to. Add to this the players unavailable and it meant a stretched squad.

On to the game. The top two SHBL clubs in a cup final. This is the sort of stage we work to be on all season and we were going to relish the occasion.

JB were missing a couple of key players that we had planned for tactically (those thoughts went right out of the window) and set up in the same formation as us. Our plan was to let them have the ball at the back and hit them on the counter and in the first half in particular this worked really well for us.

The better chances all came to us. Gilo had a shot narrowly go over the bar, Ell had a volley inside the box quite brilliantly saved and Charlie was somehow denied at the back post by a defender after John's excellent cross.

Jb had the ball, but were being frustrated and only had a free kick that was easy for Sam and a shot that went a couple of yards over to show for it.

In to the second half and again we created the first chance. Charlie swung over a super cross from the right and how neither John or Joey made contact for the finish at the back post I don't quite know.

JB were beginning to become a threat from set pieces and on the hour mark they took the lead. A corner was swung in and their striker nodded home unmarked.

5 minutes later we equalised. Prior to this our set piece delivery had been a bit of a disappointment, but Charlie crossed in, Grouty headed to the back post and substitute Luca volleyed past the keeper for his 16th goal of the season.

The rest of the game saw both teams trying to win it, but JB looking the more likely. That said the closest they came was a header by Grouty that Sam made a stunning save to palm away.

It went to extra time and 3 minutes in JB were back ahead. This was a poor goal from our point of view that was littered with individual errors that added up to a cross being delivered to the back post for their striker to head in from a couple of yards out whilst unmarked.

In the second half of extra time we brought the injured Sam out of goal and replaced him with Baulds and bombarded JB with set pieces right until the end. Trigg saw a goalbound shot cleared off the line and John's volley was really well saved. That was the last of the action as JB held on.

It is never nice to lose a Cup Final, but there are ways of losing and this one only filled me with pride. Every player gave every ounce of effort they had and left nothing out on the pitch. It was a game of very fine margins that could have gone either way. Despite us having more chances, it was JB's morning. In fact it looks like being their season.

MoM: Charlie - a genuinely difficult decision for all the right reasons as everyone in red played well this morning, but Charlie's efforts were superb, battling through injury to produce a great performance. Mention for Sam who was really solid in goal and made one great save.

Thanks to those who came to support and to Harwood for his help. Apologies to Albi for not getting on.

One to go and it looks like it'll be meaningful so we will need to power through once more before a well earned summer break.