|
Date |
Opponents |
Venue |
Score |
Scorers |
| 5th Feb | Calverton MW Red | A | 3-3 L | Brad, Luke (2) lost on penalties |
Report:
Semi-final FA shield. Calverton miners Welfare Red. 3-3 aet Calverton win on penalties
Penalty shoot outs are always a cruel way to lose a cup tie and , unfortunately, it was Orange who ended up losing this one after an entertaining game. It could have been so different though.
Orange came in at the interval 3-1 up and looking in control of the game. Luke had opened the scoring hitting the ball into the net from Elliott's corner early on. Brad added to his season tally with a superb effort picking the ball up just inside the opposition half, dribbling skilfully past 3 players before firing into the top corner of the net. Lukes second came from a ball played through by Brad after a tackle with the keeper. Calverton had pulled one back after an unlucky bounce from their goal kick.
After the interval Calverton maintained the pressure on the Orange goal but the defence held up well propped up by Macauley and Ben. Brad almost scored but the keeper pulled off a super save in the opening minute of the half. Calverton kept the pressure on and forced a corner which ended with them pullling another goal back to make it 3-2. As Calverton pressed Ben again produced some crunching tackles whenever they were exposed at the back. Dan also pulled off an excellent save from a Calverton striker. Brad, Aaron and Elliott continued to work some neat one touch football in midfield. brad was unlucky when his shot was just wide after some clever work by Ryan.
The turning point came about 10mins from the end when Macauley was judged to have fouled in the area. The penalty was converted to make the scores level and extra time beckoned.
Extra time came and Orange continued playing their attractive football and almost won the game with shots from Hayniey, Brad and Luke all going close. Orange are playing better and better footbal but it was not to be, however, and as the final whistle went Orange were left thinking how they had let this game slip out of their grasp.
They should not be too disheartened. They are probably one of the challengers for the league title and have another semi-final in the YEL Cup to which they can look forward.