Today’s game was a Challenge Cup 2nd round match against Bovingdon Red. The Challenge cup is a competition that includes teams from all 6 West Herts Youth leagues. We were drawn against a Bovingdon Red team that is currently sat mid-table in the top division. The boys knew that this was going to be a tough game.
Just before kick-off, Archie came up to me with a face like thunder saying that they had to wear “stupid” bibs because both teams’ strips clashed! Mark (one of the coaches) wasn’t looking too happy and clearly had a revolt on his hands until the referee suggested Evergreen wear their shirts inside-out. The boys were happy with this and obliged.
With Louis K missing, Adam started as goalkeeper. Lewis C and Harry C were defence. Lewis P, James and Archie were midfield with Harry F upfront. There were no subs available.
The game didn’t start too well, it was obvious that Bov were very organized and passed the ball about well. They took the lead in the first 5mins with an effort from the corner spot. The ball floated over the keeper and into the goal. After some loud groans from us on the sidelines and some harsh (but very fair) words from Conrad, the boys started to play some really good football and Bov didn’t know how to deal with the pressure that Evergreen were putting them under. We seemed to be closing them down more than usual and we were being very strong in tackles. James and Harry F were unlucky not to find the back of the net with long range efforts but with around 5mins to go we finally got the equalizer that we deserved. The goal came from Lewis P, taking advantage of a loose ball in the area. You could see what it meant to him and the boys. They went in at half time with the scores level at 1-1.
We came out in the second half all guns blazing but nearly slipped up. The Bov team like to either pass the ball backwards to the defence for them to hit a long ball (hoof) up field or use their throw-ins to go back to defence for the hoof. All the Evergreen parents on the sidelines commented on how well the boys were playing, that it was their best performance so far and how laid back Bov looked. With that, we strung a few passes together, Harry F laid a ball off for Archie to run onto. He was strong in holding off the Bov defender and smashed the ball into the back of the net! 2-1 to Evergreen! Bov didn’t know what had hit them, and we carried on getting at them. Lewis P was playing the best I’ve seen him play all season, causing the Bov defence untold problems. He ripped through the defence, took the ball wide and smashed in his 2nd of the game to make it 3-1! Archie was unlucky not too have added another. Lewis P played a fantastic ball, Archie collected but his shot went agonizingly wide. Then Lewis P almost scored a carbon copy of his 2nd but the ball smashed against the post. Bov managed to pluck up a bit of courage and attack for the last 3 or 4 mins and they got a 2nd to make it 3-2. They very nearly got an equalizer with a long range effort but Adam was on hand to pull off a cracking reflex save, pushing the ball over the bar. There was a horrible goal mouth scramble that seemed to last 20mins which was finally cleared by Lewis C. The ref blew the whistle to cheers from the Evergreen players and parents.
A brilliant game. I was very proud of Archie when he scored to make it 2-1. His goal didn’t turn the game, as it was already us that had had the most of the possession, but it did do the boys justice. They all put in 200% effort and it clearly paid off. There were moments in the game where Bov could have taken advantgage, but we put in some crunching tackles and never gave up the chase for more goals. Evergreen Juniors have turned giant killers!
Next weekend we face Comets Cougars, away, in a match to decide 1st and 2nd place in the Intermediate League cup group
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