Town Progress into Semi-Finals – FTFC Vets v Thame Utd – 2-2 (5-3 Pens)
Town Vets were back in action last night, in the quarter-final of the Veterans Challenge Cup against Premier Division Thame United. The game was hastily re-arranged and moved to Oxford City’s brand new 3G pitch in the main stadium, following recent rain and frozen ground damaging our normal home ground of Clanfield (85) FC.
Town were the underdogs going into the match, however, in the previous group stages of the competition, Town had overcome Chinnor B and OUP, also from the top division. Town management informed the lads that Thame would be technically better and would look to move the ball, however, we were younger and fitter and if the shape was kept tight and runners tracked, we had a chance to progress. The opening stages were very cagey as both sides sought to claim the advantage and it was Town who had the first effort on goal as the ever young (or so we thought!) Anthony McCusker had a shot at goal, saved by the keeper on 10 minutes.
United were playing patient passing football, trying to break down the Town defence, whilst Town looked dangerous on the counter-attack but were guilty of trying to force the final ball. On 25 minutes Town managed to have some prolonged pressure on the Thame goal. Colin Yates cross was tipped wide of the goal by the scrambling keeper to concede a corner, from which McCusker had another opportunity but his chipped effort just missed the target. On the next attack, Town had a penalty shout for handball, but our requests to the referee were waved away. On the half-hour mark, the deadlock was broken as a poor defensive back line (or lazy W as it was called at half-time) was breached with a quick break away and the impressive number 10 slotted the ball home past Lee Ruddle in the Town goal.
Town went looking for a quick response and within three minutes, we were level. A neat pass found the unmarked Yates, who slotted the ball into the net, past the advancing United keeper for his first goal since September. United didn’t hold back in their play and quickly went on the front foot, with a well-struck strike from 20 yards just going over the Town goal, before a similar effort on the stroke of half-time saw Town concede a penalty. The ball was struck and with skipper Gary Sutton only 5 yards away, as he turned his arm was raised and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Town were aggrieved, but it could be argued the arm was in an unnatural position, however it was from very close range. The resulting kick was easily dispatched by the United number 10 for his and Thame’s second and they went into the halftime break 1-2 up.
The Town Gaffer expressed to the side that we had more than matched our higher league opponents, however, we had to be more intelligent with the ball and track the runners off the ball. The first half was very even and despite being a goal behind, Town were very much still in the tie. Within five minutes of the restart, Town grabbed a second equaliser, when Ruddle’s goal kick was misjudged by the home centre-half and the ball fell to Yates. He drove at the United back line, before drawing the keeper and passing the ball to McCusker, who allowing him to open his Vets account into the empty net for 2-2. The next passage of play was again even, but Ruddle was tested when a Thame corner found the towering centre-half, who rose above Sutton and planted a header which was sneaking inside the far post, however, Ruddle sprung into life and pulled off a great save.
On 55 minutes Ben Spencer saw an acrobatic side volley just go ‘wover’ of the goal and then on 65 minutes Aidan Streete ran onto the ball from wide and saw his effort hit the outside of the post (FINE!!) after neat interchange passing between Yates and Pat Graham. The remainder of the half was a midfield battle as legs started to tire with Town shuffling the pack, especially after McCusker was struck down by a sniper (Cramp!!!). With penalties looming, both sides pushed for the winner but with neither keeper really tested. So the final whistle blew and the penalty lottery would decide the winner.
Town’s five penalty takers all volunteered with Paul Hulme, Pat Graham, Gary Sutton, Craig Gaynor and Dave Legg the guys to step forward. Hulme was first to step up and confidently dispatched his strike with Thame equalising. Graham took his and scored to his right, despite a despairing dive by the keeper, but Thame again equalised. Skipper Sutton then strode forward and saw his strike hit the underside of the crossbar (FINE!!) before nestling into the onion bag before Town keeper Ruddle saved Thame’s third effort to put us into the lead. Gaynor was fourth and had only been put on the field of play for the penalties prior to the final whistle and he dispatched his effort, sending the keeper the wrong way for a 4-2 Town lead, however, Thame applied the pressure by scoring their fourth for 4-3. So it was left to Leggy to try and put the game to bed and his effort was smashed home to send Town Vets into the semi-final, knocking out one of the favourites for the competition and round off an excellent squad performance.
The Town Gaffer commented at the final whistle
The lads applied themselves really well against an experienced side. A lot of the Thame lads have played a very decent level in their prime, probably 4 or 5 steps higher than a lot of the Town lads. However, you will struggle to see a side with a better team spirit and what we might lack in quality, we don’t in effort and determination. The double is still on, it’s a tall order but who’s to say it can’t be our year.
Squad: Lee Ruddle, Glenn Townsend, Dave Legg, Damian Francis, Gary Sutton(c), Nick Wojcik, Phil Thompson, Anthony McCusker, Colin Yates, Paul Hulme, Andy Lynham, Aidan Streete, Pat Graham, Craig Gaynor, Ben Spencer, Steve Pugh
MOTM: Dave Legg (Said he would put three MOM performances in before his season ends, that’s number one down and also the winning Pen!
DOTD: Anthony McCusker (Youngest player in the squad, only one to go down with cramp!)
