Decliners reign as over 50’s cup holders came to an end in a hard fought battle at BAWA, despite controlling the game for decent spells and creating a number of presentable chances, the ball refused to go into the net. In the end it took a penalty to separate the two sides. Good luck to Monday in the semi finals.

EASTON MONDAY MATCH REPORT
The crowd of one turned up in anticipation of a thrilling Over 50s Cup quarter final. He informed the bench that he had bought a flask with two cups of tea (one for each half) to enjoy along with the spectacle of graceful free-flowing football…he was to be disappointed on that front, however the game did turn out to be a tense affair. The pre-match banter included the decision to start by kicking up the slope if we won the toss in order to make the most of down the slope second half. Captain (for the day) Sheridan lost the toss and knew the game would be an uphill battle. The sticky bobbly pitch meant that both teams struggled to play the football they would have liked but Monday eventually got the chance to break the deadlock when they were awarded a penalty after Sheri got wiped out in the box as he was about to shoot. Yarrow stepped up to take the pen which he managed to scuff and hang his head in shame as the ball dribbled past the post. This seemed to inspire the Decliners as they surged forward and it needed a ‘worldy’ from Monday giant, Sir Lee in goal to keep the score to 0-0. Monday used the slope to force a number of corners. The left footed Newbs meant that the corners were swinging out. Jonesey shouted out that someone else should take them. He was ignored and the next ‘outswinger’ was flicked on and Sheri side footed home. 1-0. Half time. There was concern form the bench that one goal might not be enough to win the tie and that second half would be a struggle playing up the slope. To their surprise Monday actually played better kicking uphill but without creating any clear cut goal scoring chances with Decliners ‘sweeper-keeper’ snuffing out any advances on goal. However, as the half wore on the pitch began to take its toll on the Monday OAPs. Jonesy’s hamstring went and Rob’s old injury forced him to limp off. This bought Mr Rance on (despite saying before kick off that his injury would rule out of action) to help shore up the defence with his voice and some mighty left-footed hoofs upfield. Decliners began to make the most of the slope, they were creating chances and it took another great save with Sir Lee to prevent the equaliser. With time running out Newby broke clear and was one on one with the keeper, surely he would make the game safe…but no, this was Newby and in customary style his feeble shot deflected off the keeper for a corner. Two minutes to go, all Monday had to do was run the clock down from the short corner but instead they lost possession, Decliners forged down the pitch and earned themselves a corner with seconds to go. Last kick of the game, the ball came in, a shot was deflected wide, the whistle blew. Much to the relief of the Mondays. This had been a hard fought victory played in the Corinthian spirit we have become accustomed to against our opponents. Decliners had most of the ball but Monday were lucky enough to get it in the net. Semi-Finals here we come.

A keeper pulling out on the morning of the game is a blow at any time, but more so when playing a team as good as Wick. The game started  badly for us, conceding the first goal after thirty seconds. Lo and behold, thirty seconds later it was 1-1 and for an improbable ten minutes it looked like we might stay in the game. After that however, a combination of rookie keeper mistakes and ruthless finishing saw Wick canter into an unassailable 7-1 lead by half time. A change between the sticks saw an upturn in the Recliners performance and we fought hard to draw the second half 1-1 and but for a superb save from the Wick keeper to keep out a pen, we might have won it. A game played in good spirit generally and well refereed, good luck to Wick in the semi, or perhaps more appropriately good luck to anyone playing them, you’ll probably need it.