Cardinals Soar into Final
15 Feb 2009
A great effort!
An unusually dry day saw the visit of Pembury to Hawkenbury for the CDJFL Cup Semi-Final. The Cardinals had been ready for this game for some time due to the previous week's postponement. The build up was deliberately calm and with Ben missing and Ollie cup-tied we had a squad of 13. The early emphasis was on structure and a solid back line but the boys soon imposed themselves . Much success came through the left hand channel where Henry and Max were prominent. A number of opportunities did not quite fall but The Cardinals pressure began to tell. The forwards created space with intelligent running and Elliott and Tom B both scored. Meanwhile, the centre-back pairing of Asa and James were very strong, limiting Pembury to scraps. Fred tidied up professionally when anything came in range of the goal. As well as scoring his only straightforward goal of the day, the first half was capped by a sensational volley from Captain Tom M and the Cardinals went into the half time break 4-0 up.After a previous nervous period against Ringmer, Mark, Peter & Barrie emphasised the need for a solid start to the second half and the boys responded. Scott came on and made some trademark runs. Joseph also came off the bench and was very solid at left back as Henry now pushed forward. In the second half, the Cardinals midfield duo of Tom M and Dom continued to boss the centre of the park and the right side now came into play with Harry supporting the flying Jamie. Fred had one tricky cross to deal with which he smothered well but apart from that the defence was in control. Some of the challenges had now become very robust as Pembury sensed the game slipping away.One of these "challenges" resulted in a foul and a free kick was awarded outside the box. Tom M stepped back and curled a stunning free kick into the top left hand corner of the goal. Unstoppable. After a second Tom B strike, Jamie cut in and buried one of his trade mark goals, making it 7-0 to The Cardinals with an all round display of quality football from the boys. On to The Final at Crowborough Community Stadium on 29 March against Broad Oak.
Team: Fred, Harry, Asa, James, Henry; Jamie, Tom M, Dom, Max (Joseph), Elliot (Scott), Tom B