Finally, a performance worth writing about
Charity Cup Semi-Final
Old Boys vs Queens Park 8th August, ILT Turf
Old Boys 3 (Scott, Jared, Mike) – Queens Park 1 (Own goal Hayden)
Knock out football at the ILT Turf on a Tuesday night saw Old Boys facing once beaten semi-finalists Queens Park. In a quirk of this year’s competition format three teams made it to semi-finals. Gore having beaten Park in the first semi saw Park get a second chance semi vs. Old Boys.
Southland players available to both squads with the men in red taking advantage and enlisting Atain, Bob and Xavier to bolster the starting line-up. The coaching staff were looking for a performance befitting the caliber of players in the group after the let down at the weekend vs. Thistle.
Park were fast starters testing the defense with some long balls via Anton. Old Boys weathered the early storm before mounting some of their own attacks as Mike and Xavier got into the game. First blood went to Scotty D as he was given an easy header at a corner.
Next on the score sheet was Jared Cuff as pressure up the field led to a turnover which was quickly fed wide to Jared in space who was able to run at the keeper before a cool finish. Lots of opportunities being created during this period but some good last ditch defending and solid goal keeping kept us at bay.
Park then mounted some sustained pressure of their own for 15 minutes culminating with Britton making some great saves in goal. Arguably against the run of play Mike raced onto a through-ball and then turned the last defenders before icing his finish to make it 3-0. Park almost had the last say of the half when they were denied by Hamish on the line at a corner.
Grant and Reuben were extremely happy with the half time score line and reiterated that the next 10 minutes were going to be crucial in the match. Park almost scoring from the kick-off was not in the team talk. A period of poor play culminated in Benny ‘nude run’ Edwards slotting one in the top corner of his own net following a series of missed clearances.
3-1 with 35 to play and Park with their backs up, the defense had to really dig in for this one. Britton was called into action numerous times to fend off long range efforts but also made a great 1:1 stop. At the other end Atain had a couple of chances on the counter but the play was very much in our own half.
Credit to all the guys for this effort as it was top draw but the back line need to be singled out for a huge improvement game on game.
So, into the final we go vs. Gore and the opportunity to get amongst the silverware. For the record, Hayden drops to -1 in the goal tally stakes.
Bring on Southend.
