Unfortunately there was no official referee available for the crucial quarter final match in the Geoff Harvey Cup. The manager of the Sportsman nominated himself as the referee for the match.
Due to unforseen circumstances, the match was delayed for 15 minutes, and our thanks go to the Sportsman team for their courtesy in allowing the delayed kick-off.
The match soon got underway though and on a bright but cold morning the pace was brisk. The match took a little while to settle with neither side really making the most of possession. The Countryman took the lead after 20 minutes after a defensive mix up allowed Jon Bovington in to score his first of the game.
Credit to the Sportsman team though, as they soon recovered, using their forwards pace well to equalise just after the half hour mark. Soon after a penalt was awarded for the Sportsman, one of those 50-50 decisions even the most seasoned professionals argue over. The penalty duly converted, the Sportsman took a 2-1 lead into half time.
A second half substition saw Tom Culliford come onto to play on the right. The Countryman looked the more focussed and soon took control of the midfield. It seemed as though it wasn't going to turn around for the Countryman though as several chances went begging. Unfortunately some of the earlier decisions in the game started to tell on the players of both teams and things got a little heated in the second half. Darren Willis rightly booked for a wild challenge, and Jason Birch booked for foul language didn't add to the proceedings.
However the Countrymans efforts eventually paid off and an equalising goal from Jon (not so nice hair) Bovington with ten minutes to go set up a rousing finale.
The Sportsman failed to capitalise from an indirect free kick 12 yards from goal, blazing over the bar at the second attempt. Luckily for the Countryman who promptly laid seige to the Sportsman goal, finally securing the win with a hat trick sealing goal from Jon Bovington, two minutes from time.
A tough game for both teams, as you would expect in the cup!!
(Story First Published: 07.03.05) |
