Almost heroes

Sparkshop's fine cup tradition, and it isn't too strong a phrase to use after our recent exploits, saw another glorious but ultimately unsuccessful chapter written this evening. Our first Weds game saw Richie out and Pete as well - Pete watched from the sidelines after his wounds in action on Monday - but in came Dave in goal and Phil in the middle where we likely to need strength as it was a top division side we were up against.

Given we were playing a better team, the handicap system gave us a goal start and it was no surprise to find we played deep for almost the entire match. To be honest, it felt like the longest game we've ever played at Wimborne and Gary had something of an off night in respect of decisions going for us. However, Dave was inspired in goal and pulled off a number of high class saves in as close an impersonation of Richie's great game on Monday as you could get. There were 2 saves on to the post and bar which kept us ahead before, with our one and only shot of the night, we took a shock lead as the ball broke for new Matt to continue his rich vein of form in front of goal. He stormed forward and slammed the ball to the keeper's left with the coolness borne of confidence. This meant we turned round 2 - 0 up in effect.

In fairness they were a very good side with all of them comfortable on the ball and, we heard later, playing at a high level. Despite that we held them at bay for most of the second half and it looked increasingly less likely that they'd score. I lost count of the number of blocks made by Matt C, Dougie and Dom with Kev and Phil fighting alongside them with a succession of lunging tackles and desperate clearances.

It was unfortunate that with just minutes remaining 2 goals were scored in rapid succession and neither of them reflected the quality of football they'd played. They were slightly fortunate goals much as they might have been deserved.

The final whistle saw us standing at 2 apiece and confusion reigned as Gary clearly forgot it was a cup quarter final. That meant we should have been moving to penalties and eventually they got underway with memories of our loss last year still fresh in the mind. We'd lost the final on pens last time but this time we started with a perfect three. Kev, new Matt and myself all hit home but sadly Dave was unable to keep any of theirs out despite outstanding efforts. Up stepped Dom and he smashed the ball high into the net with something close to aplomb. It was sudden death by this stage and a save by Dave would see us through. Again his dive was one of despair as the ball flew in. It was Phil next and he experienced the heartache of seeing his shot saved and walking back disconsolately. As Matt C pointed out, at least it wasn't the final!

The final kick of the game was when the winning penalty followed and we were out on penalties once again. Questions about the lack of preparation for this eventuality will possibly be asked, as I have no recollection of us taking practice penalties at any stage. In a competition as big as this that may be something we have to address in the future. A club as full of tradition as ours, and with the weight of history borne on the current crop of players' shoulders, needs to be preparing in this area as well as we do in every other aspect of the game. There's no point us watching our weight, eating healthily, pounding the tarmac in all weathers to maintain the peak of fitness we have honed over time and endlessly discussing tactics and formations if we can't get this right. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Wise words.

Tongue firmly in cheek. By the way, what word can be placed in front of the following three words to create three new words?

her
homed
ten

Good luck.