Hendy Cup, April 19
YC&AC Over 35s 0 v YC&AC Seconds 1
The Over 35s had been looking forward to this annual clash with the Club’s Second Team. We felt we had an excellent chance, irrespective of the Seconds’ lofty position in TML Div. 3 and fine run to the TML Cup semis. The bookmakers concurred, installing us as odds-on favourites.
The game was played in blustery conditions which didn’t help either side, especially the hoof-ball Seconds. The Over 35s, who by contrast like to play a quick short passing game, settled the more quickly into the contest, and it is no exaggeration to say that for long spells here we dominated.
The Seconds seemed not to enjoy the experience one little bit. Irritation was etched into their faces as we snapped into the tackles and pushed the ball around confidently.
Shortly before half time, rather against the run of play, the Seconds went ahead, courtesy of a controversially awarded freekick. Phil Denham hit it from about 35 yards out on the right at the Paul Blamire Shed End. The delivery looked to have cleared the heads of everyone in the box before it dipped suddenly five yards out to be met six inches off the ground by the diving head of Gavin Margetson, who had ghosted in unnoticed behind our defenders. Great goal. One from the training ground perhaps?
Undeterred, the Silver Machine pressed on, but we weren’t able to create much in the way of clear-cut chances. The best fell to Thorstein Strand, who hit a shot with his ass that cannoned off the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear. We’ve not enjoyed much luck in the Cup competitions this season and it would have been nice to get a bit there.
Certainly, few would argue that a draw, with an Over 35s win on penalties, would have been a fair result.
Never mind. An excellent performance this from the Silver Machine, and one that clearly rattled good TML opposition.
At the end it was good to see the two squads facing each other in lines in the traditional Japanese manner. I’m sure too that the Over 35s would have sportingly applauded the Seconds as they lifted the Cup. Unfortunately, the Cup was nowhere to be seen.
A job for Alan’s dog, perhaps?
By Alex Hendy
Squad: Full strength
Goals: To win it next time. Convincingly.
Man of the match: Gavin Margetson. Deceptively good. Capped solid performance with great goal.
Referees: The Seconds didn’t think much of them, but we thought they were OK.
Cards: Don’t recall
Attendance: Not many
