Sunday 24th January 2010
South Rushden Gladiators 1 Ringstead Rangers 1
Ringstead Rangers won 3 – 1 on penalties after extra time
The curse of the dreaded penalty shoot-out hits the Gladiators again

Team
Tom Porter
Alex Ferdinandez - Matthew Fensome - Ross McMullan - Josh Bellingham
Kain Devonald - Nathan Doherty – Scott Clampin - Danny Gallagher
Jack Lake - Reagan Betts
Subs: Matthew Bland – Aaron Halliday

Our first game back from an enforced lay-off after the Christmas festivities and with the main man away it was left to the assistants (Tony & Rob) to run the show. This week saw us playing Division 1 side, Ringstead Rangers in the quarter finals of the U12 League Cup.
 
The opening exchanges were closely contested until Reagan fed the ball behind the full back for Kain to run onto. Kain beat one tackle and then, unfortunately for us, his well struck shot went the wrong side of the keeper into the side netting.

A few moments later, we were unable to adequately clear a Ringstead attack and one of their players volleyed the ball over Tom into the top corner of the net. Tom had no chance – it was a very good goal.

Aaron came on for Danny when Danny was injured and Kain went off and Blandy had a game on-field for a change. Our defence were proving as resilient as ever with Matt and Ross particularly effective and whilst we had a few scares from time to time there was always another defender to clear up any loose balls. Alex (having been told that he was marking a winger called Ian Fensome) has now learned the art of the blatant and cynical foul which is obviously something we have worked on in training (!) – Well done Alex.
  
Towards the end of the 2nd half we started to pass the ball around much more and Scott fed Danny (who had come back on) and his subsequent shot hit the post and bounced to safety. With only a minute left some good work by Josh, and then Scott who passed into space and sent Danny free. Danny’s first time cross fell perfectly to the unmarked Reagan who doesn’t miss them from 2 yards out as he coolly slotted the ball past the keeper to equalise.

Extra time beckoned and whilst they had a couple of chances the final result of 1 – 1 was probably a fair reflection of the game – neither side deserved to lose.

So to penalties where we have a record of being involved in 4 shoot-outs but only winning one!

Our selected penalty takers were Ross, Scott, Nathan, Matt and Regan. In particular, Matt wanted to take a penalty despite missing some spot kicks earlier in the year – well done Matt for showing great commitment to the team.
 
They scored with their first penalty but a good save by their keeper stopped Ross’s spot kick. They scored again and then Scott slotted the ball into the top corner to restore the score to 1 – 2.

Tom then saved their next kick and despite Nathan missing our 3rd kick to leave the score at 1 – 2. Ringstead then missed their 4th kick as it hit one post, rolled along the line behind Tom to hit the other post and then to safety!
 
Unfortunately Matt’s kick (our 4th) went wide as well so if Ringstead scored with their 5th kick it was all over, and a few seconds later it was for us and we had another bunch of dispirited lads.

Our central defensive unit of Matt & Ross was particularly strong today (a point echoed by the Ringstead coach) although I believe that Ross slightly shaded it (sorry Matt) and so the man of the match award this week goes to Ross and Scott, the latter being our chief source of creativity and adapted to his new central midfield role very well. (Well done Ross & Scott).

I’m not sure if practising penalties will do us any good (it clearly doesn’t help the national team) so let’s win it in normal or extra time next time boys.

Well done all of you.

Tony