WE AVOID CURSE TO REACH CUP SEMI-FINAL

Before the game the Club received a presentation from a League Official for the Team of the Month Award. Its always a proud moment to receive such an accolade and Ryan, his coaching team and the players fully deserve recognition for all the hard work and great performances they have put in.

However, for the superstitious amongst us there was a fear that it would turn out to be sods law that after receiving this award we would go on and lose this game! Fortunately (for us) we were able to book our place in the semi-final of the Gladwish Challenge Trophy where we will play Aylesbury Vale Dynamos away after they beat Winslow United 1-0 on the same night.

Despite the bitterly cold weather and the pitch not being at its best the two teams produced a good old fashioned cup tie with plenty of goals. Our guests conceded early on in the game and at one stage found themselves 3 goals behind but they pulled a goal back to give themselves some hope and kept going to the end and were rewarded with a late goal to make the score line look more respectable.

We got off to a bright start and took the lead after only 11 minutes when Potton failed to clear a corner and Bailey Osborne was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net. We doubled our lead in the 40th minute after the keeper spilled a cross from Max Hercules and Greg Deer took the opportunity to slot the loose ball home. Score 2-0

In between these goals Max Hercules, who was picked out by Harry Beaumont in the area, skilfully turned his marker to create a shooting opportunity but his effort was well saved by the keeper. Soon afterwards Harry Shepherds slipped a lovely pass through to Bailey Osborne who shot just wide of the far post.

Potton’s prolific goal scorer Jordon Brown had a chance from a good cross into our box but we went in at the break with a commanding 2 goal lead. HT Score 2-0.

Nine minutes into the second period we scored goal number three with a cracker from Max Hercules (much to the delight of his dad and grandad in the stand!!). Max cut inside from the left and then curled his shot into the far corner out of the reach of the keeper. Score 3-0.

On paper it looked like game over but Potton, who have a lot of technically gifted players, had other ideas and went close when they hit our bar in the 59th minute. That escape was short lived as a minute later Potton’s leading scorer Jordan Brown deflected a shot with his head past Josh in goal to give his side hope. Score 3-1.

We are a resilient team and within 7 minutes we restored our 3 goal margin through Max Hercules with replica of his first goal. After picking up a lovely ball from Kieran Turner out on the left he cut inside and placed his shot past the keeper for another super goal. Score 4-1.

Within a minute Max had the chance to grab his hat-trick when Shep intercepted the ball in midfield and slipped him through on goal but the keeper came out to make a good save.

However Potton didn’t cave in and continued to push players forward in what look liked a helpless cause. We nearly scored again when the keeper made a mess of a header from Harrison Cornick, just managing to claw the ball away to safety whilst at the other end Jordan Brown headed a difficult chance over. Three minutes into added time Potton did get their 2nd goal and inevitably it was Jordan Brown who had the last say scoring at the 3rd attempt to remarkably get his 26th goal of the season. FT Score 4-2.

Max Hercules was justifiably chosen as Man of the Match with two goals and all round great performance.

This victory continues our superb form but we will face a stiff test on Saturday when we visit Wormley Rovers who beat 2nd placed Cockfosters 2-4 away on the same night. Wormley are 3 places and 6 points behind us but have 3 games in hand so we need to get something from the game.

TA: Josh Ameganvi, Mason Clarke, Dylan Fitzpatrick, Harrison Cornick, George Carbery (Capt) (Harry Jones 76), Greg Deer (Jack Harvey 69), Harry Beaumont (Dave O’Connor 76), Harry Shepherd (Frankie Hercules 69), Finn Rolfe, Bailey, Osborne (Kieran Turner 63), Max Hercules.

Scorers:

TA: Bailey Osborne (11), Greg Deer (40), Max Hercules (54, 67)

PU: Jordan Brown (60, 90+3)

Man of the Match: Max Hercules

Crowd: 85