Silverstone Racers Flyers 3 - 3 Cranfield Colts Cyclones
This was our final game of the season and our final game as CYCLONES. After 3 straight wins, which is our best ever run of results, we were looking to finish on a high. It was always going to be tough today as it was very warm and we had no subs, but the boys fitness has been superb this season and we more often than not finish games stronger than opponents.
We got off to a slow start, struggling to get out of our own penalty box, Silvertsone had 4 or 5 corners in the opening few minutes. We dealt with the pressure very well, taking no chances and keeping it simple to clear our lines each time. Our first venture into Silverstones half saw some good link up play resulting in a great first time shot from Daniel just looping over the bar. The game was much more open now and both sides were coping with each others attacks well, though Silverstone still looked most likely to score. 18 mins gone and some good play down the right saw a simple ball into the box find Sam, who again coolly shot to put us 1 up. Silverstone probably wondering how they were behind started to put more pressure on us and only 4 mins later got their reward. A simple ball straight through the middle of the defence, picked up by an unmarked striker allowed them to make it 1-1. A couple of minutes before half time we had a fantastic opportunity to regain the lead when we broke 4 v 3, but Daniel just couldn't find the killer pass to find Sam unmarked in the box.
Half time 1-1.
A bit of a chat about staying goalside(all season long!!!), and a reminder this is our last ever game as this bunch of boys, that we want to finish on a good note, didn't quite work this time as 3 mins after the break, Silverstone take the lead from a corner. Met at the near post a deft touch redirects the ball into our net, possibly the first goal we have conceded from a corner all year! This rocked the boys a bit and we lost our discipline for a while. Although it's great to see the boys determined to get back into games, we were very lucky to still be in this 1. Time and again we were undone by a simple ball over the top, allowing 1 on 1's against Fergus, who had a fantastic game again and kept us in it.
17 mins gone and George draws us level with a great shot, only for all the hard work to be undone just 3 mins later when Silverstone made it 3-2. With 10 minutes to go it was looking all over, as Silverstone were dominating the play and, as we had started, were penning us into our half. Just as I'm beginning to think it's all over, we break away and with a bit of a scramble in the Silverstone box, Daniel pops up and grabs our 3rd. A real sucker punch and with about 30 secs to go, there's no time for Silverstone to react.
We got a big chunk of luck today, but with hard work and real belief, the boys never gave up and got that bit of luck that we don't normally get.
Well done boys, We are so proud of you and you should be very pleased with how you have done this season. With such a small squad, to get the results and performances we have this year is a credit to you all. Record amount of wins, record amount of goals, a record amount of clean sheets, a plus goal difference for the first time, 4 hat tricks, 7 different goal scorers. We've rewritten the record books this year!!!!!!!
