Poynton A  v Inter Cheadle
Semi Final Metro Cup

The match today at the Manchester University Sports Ground was to be the third time this season that the boys were to meet the Inter Cheadle side.
On both occasions Poynton were victorious,but as we all know anything can happen in the cup !
The pitch was in good condition,but had a notable incline in one half, the wind was brisk (nowhere near as bad as last year’s semi final against the Vulcans !)

The Poynton boy’s kicked off and had the wind at their backs playing downhill. Poyntons first attack came from a run by Potter passing to Perry , Captain Simpson narrowly putting a shot over the bar,
The boys were on the attack and took the game to Inter, but were caught flat in the first five minutes at the back.
Inter’s No 8 giving a ”cold“ Wadsworth no chance 1-nil to Inter.

The game restarted and Poynton were out to equalise; Potter, Bell and Perry all had attempts at goal, but to no avail. Inter were here to win and mounted some of their own attacks. Our boys were playing some nice quick passing football, and were performing well.Campbell, Kemp, Hulme and Tweedy tackling well, Paisley, Kelly and Simpson fighting hard in the midfield and distributing the ball inteligently. Potter was unlucky not to score from a direct free kick his effort went just over the bar.

Potter was playing well and the Inter backs were in for a torrid time. Kelly, Paisley, Simpson and Tweedy were winning the battle for possession, Poynton however were, not putting away their chances
But as luck would have it Potter advanced down the right for the umpteenth time, the ball coming in at speed led to a hasty attempt at clearance causing an Inter player put one into his own net, it was one a piece.

The game restarted and Wadswoth was soon to earn his corn as he sped out for 50/50 ball winning the race with the speedy Inter forward. Kemp was tackling hard for possession, and after one of these hard challenges he went down injured. Kemp as a result, had to be taken off, and was replaced by McClaren whom took over well continuing in the same mould as the injured Kemp.
Poynton were winning a lot of possession, when Perry received the ball in the center of the pitch, seeing Potter in space he placed an inch perfect through ball to him, Potter hammering home a shot 2- 1 to Poynton.

Again the match restarted and both sides weren’t giving an inch. Perry then sent in a pass to Kelly whom made no mistake. Planting an absolute scorcher into the back of the Inter net 3-1 to Poynton. Then just before the half time whistle! Inter pulled one back with a well placed shot giving Wadsworth no chance it was 3-2.

The game was promising to be another classic cup tie; both sides desperate for a “cup final” appearance. Manager Campbell had only a few minutes during the break to spur on his lads to make it two finals in a row for his team!
The second half kicked off with the lads playing against the gradient and into the wind with every thing to play for.
Both sides continued where they had left off, neither shirking when it came to tough uncompromising challenges.

Hulme was placing some nice ball s through to the center,Kelly, Simpson, Tweedy and Paisley were constantly taking the game to Inter Cheadle.
Campbell and McClaren were battling hard, Simpson and Tweedy were running themselves into the ground.
Kelly was the next to get a strike just putting a shot wide, then Perry then Bell !

It was Inters turn to go on the attack, forcing another good save out of Wadswoth to the keepers right. The game was being played at a rapid pace; at this point Hulme was replaced by the fresh legs of Martin who settled in well and made some good tackles immediately making his presence felt.

Perry not for the first time dropped back into mid field to help out and did some good work.
First blood of the seconnd half went to Poynton Paisley floating in a cross towards Perry who headed it to Potter it was 4-2 to the boys. The game was out of Inter’s reach although they continued to work hard bringing some good work out of Martin, Campbell and McClaren.
The last Poynton goal went to Bell, who placed a good strike into the back of the net from a well placed through ball from an inspiring Kelly .

The game ended 5-2 in Poynton’s favour.
A gutsy performance by the lads puts us into the final for the second time in two years !
So well done to them, and commiserations to the “game” Inter Cheadle side that pushed us all the way.
Poynton goal scorers: Potter x 2   Bell x 1   Kelly x 1.   Inter own goal x 1
Manager Ian Campbell’s man of the match went to Rob Potter.