Albert 2 Bramham 3 (AET)

by Chubbs - 17:46 on 06 March 2007

Lloyd, Linyard, Hudson, Robinson, Smith,

Farthing, Hick, Alker, Dodsworth,

Wright, Carrier

Subs - Firth, Tasker, Hughes

Two weeks after Bramhams humiliating 6-1 defeat,to the same team,on the same ploughed field of a pitch, the two teams met again in this Medal Q/F. Albert could have been forgiven for expecting a safe passage through to their  third semi final of the season. However Bramham, who have their own pretty impressive cup reputation, hadn't read the script. A different attitude was required and right from the off that is exactly what we got. The defense looked solid, the midfield were like terriors, and the forwards were rampant.

Early chances came and went, but the feeling that we were always on top was clear to see. Giggs shot over following a mazey run, Wright shot at the keeper from outside the box, and Carrier headed inches wide from close range. Smith was elegant at left back throwing quality cross after quality cross into the heart of the danger area and Alker and Dodsworth stopped everything creative that Albert had to offer.

Justice was done in the 38th minute when following a great team move Wright blasted past a rooted keeper from 12 yards out. We were on our way! The slight breeze blowing at our backs was a definate advantage in the first half so more goals were required before the half time break. Smith once again forraged down the left and supplied yet another danger ball into the heart of the strugling Albert defence. They failed to clear and following a scrappy clearance Hick blasted home form 2 yards in the 42nd minute, what a finish. We werent finished yet, more goals required! Was there time for one more goal? Linyard on to Hick, through ball onto Wright, one on one with the keeper its going to be the third, which it would have been had the referee not decided to blow his whistle for half time. The crowd couldn't believe their eyes! 2-0 at the break.

The second half was always going to be more difficult, the slight breeze was to Alberts advantage but it was Bramham who made the early running. Carrier let one fly the keeper parried it out and Hick smashed home from  close range, but yet again the referree came to Alberts defence with a mystifying offside decision, the management were not happy to say the least. Albert pulled one back midway throught the second half. A close range header from a corner was to hot to handle for the immpresive Lloyd in goal. Nerves started to frey but the defence looked solid until in the last minute of normal time a speculative shot was only parried by the Bramham keeper and followed in by the Akbert forward to take the tie into extra time.

The heads were down, the legs were tired but the never say die attitude was required if Bramham were to progress through to the semi final stage. Hick and Alker never stopped, Substitute Tasker was outstanding up front and wIth Hudson at the heart of the defence Bramham always looked on top in extra time. With no real clear cut chances the game was heading towards penalties. The crowd were begging for Firth to be introduced, if only to take a penalty, but the management held off, confident that one last chance could seal our victory. It was Carrier who piched the ball up 35 yards out, set his sights and unleashed a bullit into the top corner, the keeper was rooted in 10 inch of mud and only able to parry the ball into his own net, the game was won. It was poetic justice that Alberts beloved bogg of a pitch eventualy led to their downfall.

Alker, Lloyd, Smith, Linyard, Farthing, Tasker & Carrier were all superb. But Hick and Hudson were simply outstanding.

The referree had a shocker, with some mystifying decisions mainly against Bramham. Wright had one of his quieter games but still had time to show the Albert number 5 that form is temporary, whilst class is permanent. In attempting to put Jason into row Z, a magical piece of skill left  the number 5 sprawled in mub wondering where his victim had gone, the crowd howled with joy.

MOM - Committee, Brett Hudson

             Management, Mark Hick

Add your comment

Your Name


Your Email (only if you are happy to have it on the site)


Your Comment - no HTML or weblinks


Enter this number in the box below and click Send - why?Unfortunately we have to do this to prevent the system being swamped by automated spam