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The lost 1 - 2 to Aztec
Warriors.
On Cup semi-final weekend, this game invoked all the memories
of giant killing down the years, as mid table Thrapston took
on the unbeaten Warriors for the second time in 8 days. Could
we, we wondered, have a Ronny Radford, a Bobby Stokes, or
a Paul Scholes in our midst, ready to stake a claim for the
under-dog and give Thrapston a Famous victory.
Thrapston deployed a different formation for this game, with
the erstwhile defence of Vitue and Scarbrow, supplemented
this time with the defensive qualities of Connor Morson and
the tough tackling Sam Gallagher. Jordan Bateman completed
the two banks of two, with top scorer Tom Alsop given a free
role in attack, rather than in midfield this week.
The game started brightly, just like the spring day which
greeted the teams on their arrival. Thrapston controlled much
of the first half, turning the manager’s mantra: Tackle,
work, pass & call into practical reality. Bateman went
close, as did Gallagher and Alsop in a first half littered
with Thrapston chances. Would we rue those missed opportunities
we wondered, as the first half ended Nil,Nil.
The second half begun like the first, with Thrapston competing
on equal terms with the Warriors. Several more chances were
created but missed, before neat football put Alsop away on
the right, with slide rule precision, he released a pass to
substitute Josh Cummins who was in on goal. One touch, a second
touch, BANG! One, nil! The crowd erupted, had we done it?
We dared to dream - everything to play for.
Next, Alex Vitue handles outside his area, but makes amends
with a stunning save from the resulting free kick. The tide
is turning now, as Warriors realise they might be about to
loose, for the first time. They pour forward and grab a scruffy
equaliser as Thrapston fail to clear., One, One, Five minutes
left.
Despite a few break away chances, Thrapston are really holding
on now, but doing so well, when the warriors get a man over,
and Thrapston don’t track back – Two, one !
That’s the way it stayed – a great team performance
from the lads, but a result which didn’t in the end
reflect the balance of play, but perhaps leaves us ruing those
missed first half chances.
WELL DONE & BAD LUCK!!
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