Redstar Smarts News Football Club were on home turf for their Lincs County Cup round 3 tie against The Auld South Yorkshire FC. The away side have reached the semi finals of the competition for the last 2 seasons and only lost to current Humber Cup holders Tilted Barrel on penalties last year along with a league finish of a mere 6 points behind the current Division 1 Scunthorpe Champions, so with recent performances being below par, Redstar knew that this game would be their most difficult fixture in a long while against one of the top 3 teams from Scunthorpe. With Mark Broderick missing, Gavin Johnstone returned at centre back to partner Dave Duff, whilst Nick Woods dropped to right back and Lee Ford replaced the absent James Sutton on the right flank. Redstar were on the back foot early on as The Auld South Yorkshire sprayed the ball about with accuracy and confidence, their number 7 bossing the game from the middle of the park. However Redstar looked dangerous on the break with the hold up play of Conroy being used to good effect and wing wizards Cox and Borrill supporting at pace. Infact it was these 3 who linked up to provide the first goal of the contest. The Smarts Newsmen had already had 2 goals disallowed before John Conroy picked up the ball on the halfway line and shifted it to Gary Cox before being needlessly hacked down by a defender. Referee T.Albury waved play on so Cox carried the ball to the edge of the area and passed to Luke Borrill who had cut in from the left wing and duly rounded the keeper to tap into to the unguarded net. The celebrations were slightly subdued however as Conroy limped off after the heavy tackle in the lead up to the goal and his place was taken by piemaster Simon Chapple. After taking a shock lead, Redstar proceeded to do what has happened time and time again this season and switched off. Redstar had held the lead for less than 10 minutes when the visitors levelled matters from a corner that was poorly marked. Redstar failed to learn anything from this though and found themselves behind almost straight from kick off when a well taken header at the back post again highlighted their inability to deal with set pieces. Despite this blow, the Redstar boys continued to cause trouble at the other end and with a bit more luck could have drawn level on more than one occasion. With the half drawing to a close, the away side managed to get a third goal and probably what they thought was the clincher when a South Yorkshire forward found himself with just Redstar shot stopper Marco Sotgiu to beat after a lofted ball was held up in the wind and he duly dispatched across the despairing keeper. As has been the case this season, Redstar trudged off having let the lead slip. This time things were different though after words of encouragement from big Trev Webster and some of the more senior players leading by example as Redstar came out of the blocks for the 2nd half with renewed belief and a willingness to work for the cause. As the half progressed, Danny McCann began to see more of the ball whilst his midfield partner Ian Blackmore won more than his fair share of challenges, allowing Cox and Borrill to cause more problems out wide. As the 2nd half wore on, the expected tempers flared and Chapple and Mccann were both cautioned along with 2 of the Yorkshire players. The fireworks calmed down though as the Scunthorpe team realised they were going to get back what they were dishing out but they should've concentrated more on the fact that Chapple was winning the ball in the air upfront every time as Redstar aclimatised well with the wind at their backs. It was from a Chapple header that a glimmer of hope was given to the home team. A corner delivered by Cox to the back post was headed towards goal by Chapple but was blocked by a defenders arm resulting in a penalty that Blackmore placed well to the keepers left. With a growing confidence, Redstar began to boss the game and were now stronger in the tackle and more clinical with their passing. With 20 minutes remaining, Redstar levelled the tie at 3-3 when Gary Cox made a mug out of 4 Yorkshire players after cutting in from the right wing and arrowed his shot past the keeper before going on another mazey run to celebrate. Never before had the team worked as hard for each other as the goal only seemed to spurn on the home side and with jubilant chants from the home fans it was apparent that only 1 team was going to go on and win the game. With Sotigu taking on attackers in his own penalty area before clearing the ball, it epitomised the belief within the Redstar camp. Ross Atmore grew stronger and stronger in defence and sent every ball loaded at him back in the direction it came and Lee Ford toyed with his markers at times as Redstar looked to run down the clock. It was true fairytale stuff though when that man Cox scored an unlikely winner with just 8 minutes remaining. Nick Woods hurled a monster of a throw in to Chapple who yet again won the flick on in the air, playing in Cox who burst into the area and despite having his ankles clipped, stood strong and shot low across the goalkeeper to put the Smarts Newsmen into the next round. As the referee blew for fulltime, everyone involved with the Club jumped for joy, such was the magnitude of the giantkilling act they had just witnessed. Refusing sporting handshakes offered by the home side, the Scunthorpe based side were not happy. The 2nd half of football was possibly one of Redstar's best this season. Not because of sparkling football but because they worked hard and produced a performance that they could be proud of. Marco Sotigu was a giant between the sticks for Redstar with some superb saves and an assured performance that gave a solid foundation for the rest of his teammates to build on. Man of the Match was jointly awarded to Danny Mccann and supersub Simon Chapple who both gave their all when the game looked out of sight. A special mention must go to the crocked John Conroy who has been so influential this season but looks likely to be sidelined for quite a while.  

--Last edited by chiffy on 2006-11-06 17:53:24 --

plz make em smaller and more to the point then i will read them Chiffy

how about no ya crazy dutch bastard