6's Maintain Cup Defence
Aden Turna, 26 January 2010 10:29
A longer than desired winter break meant that the
6's had to endure a two week delay to their continued defence of
the AFA Intermediate Novets Cup, a trophy won by the 6's last year
on the same venue at which this quarter final tie was
contested
.
The Poly should be confident that their next trip to
the New Beckenham ground will be
for
this season's final...
Struck by a number of illnesses and absentees, the
side seemingly picked itself, whilst emphasising the strength in
depth that this season's squad possesses. Shorn of top-scorer
Tavares and arguably this season's top performer, Kelly, even the
entertainingly chipper Rich Craig had the audacity to volunteer to
play up front - an offer politely refused in favour of
Gaudin.
Although playing their regular 3-5-2, a first start
for Perks in a defensive
midfield
role alongside the skipper gave a change of
emphasis
in
the
centre
, with Smith taking on principal attacking
duties.
The additional responsibility did not hinder the
indomitable Scot, who converted his first real opportunity by
towering over the HSBC defence to head an inch-perfect left-sided
free kick from Rich Craig
, who has not allowed his dramatic loss of weight to
affect his form
.
To anyone having watched the 6's regularly this
season it would have been obvious that a good start to the first
half, a 1-0 lead, and control of the game would lead to an
inevitable spell of worry.
And so it came to pass. A searching HSBC long ball
from deep caused more confusion than it warranted and eventually,
after a number of missed tackles and failed clearances, ended up in
Sidlo's net.
The same half time team-talk justifiably seems to be
take place every game, with requests for more talking, fewer long
passes, and more composure on the ball.
Each of these requirements were met with aplomb in
the second half.
The Reds' greater quality
in all areas
started to tell early after
the restart with a number of intricate exchanges of short
passing.
Despite the improvement in play chances were still
few and far between and the Poly had to wait until midway through
the second half before Smith doubled his day's tally with another
powerful header, Gaudin providing the cross after typically
stubborn work down the right flank.
Poly still had to work hard to stay on top of the
tie, particularly with HSBC's huge centre-forward proving to be a
physical challenge.
HSBC's best period of pressure resulted in a series
of consecutive corners for which Sidlo and Turna deserve credit for
keeping out of the net.
The former reminding everyone of his ability after a
long injury lay-off with a typical R2-reflex save, the latter
making a mockery of his lack of height with a headed goal-line
clearance.
At the other end, Dom Weeks broke his season's duck
with a short-range lob over a perplexed HSBC goal-keeper, who had
otherwise given
a very solid performance.
With the HSBC penalty area loaded with red shirts,
HSBC failed to make a decisive clearance and the ball sat up
enticingly for Weeks, whose cool Bergkamp-esque finish surprised
himself as much as anyone else.
A fourth could have come from Perks had Rushden
chosen an easy lay-off on the left edge of the box.
Instead,
Rushden’s
attempt at glory resulted in an amusingly powerful
kick of the ground, and a less
than
amusing injury to
an historically fragile ankle.
Although all substitutes had been used, the game was
by then over as a contest and the 6's can now prepare to return to
league action: next stop, Carshalton.
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