Buckhurst Hill FC Royals 2-2 Docklands JFC (aet 4-5 pens )
As the boys gathered in Buckhurst Hill the sense of excitement and anticipation was palpable amongst the boys, coaches and parents. However there was disappointment for Swann our powerful center forward who had injured his leg the day before and arrived on crutches and King an accomplished left back, whom it had been discovered onFriday was ineligible due to lack of game time in the competition. All felt gutted for these two boys on missing such a big game but they kept their emotions in check and travelled as important members of this squad and part of the team effort supporting their friends.
If the boys were in any doubt as to the importance of the day that was dispelled when they boarded the luxury coach that had been provided by the generosity of the Redhead family. Tv's luxury leather seats PS3 meant the boys travelled to the game in premiership style to take part in a game and a day that they will never forget.
The boys had played some fabulous football on the way to the final scoring 44 goals and conceding only 5, but cup competitions should deliver the best teams to the final and that was to prove to be the case today with Docklands proving worthy of their place on the big stage and the London FA showcase final.
Both teams were well supported by vocal sets of fans with the addition of horns and rattles to add to the atmosphere. Hill lines up with only three subs two of whom were carrying injuries but this a quality squad who don’t know when they are beaten and the boys lined up in buoyant and confident mood having been well warmed and gee'd up by the Gaffer Russell Barrett and his assistant anddefensive expert Dean Johnson.
Straight from the off Docklands started at a high tempo pressing the ball high up the pitch and putting Buckhurst Hill under pressure all over the pitch, on two minutes this resulted in Docklands winning the ball on the Hill right and firing a long range shot wide of the goal.
Hill started to settle after a nervy start and on 5 minutes Readhead won the ball and turned the defender but was failed as he went to break free. Hill won a free kick 35 yards out fro goal , up stepped the pocket rocket Brookes whose delivery and crossing has been first class all season. As the Docklands defense set up to defend a floated ball into the area from so far out Brookes had other ideas, and stepped up to unleash a thunderbolt that hit the bar and dropped down in front of goal great anticipation and reaction from G Johnson saw him first to the ball to head home and make it 1-0 to Hill.
Four minutes later Brookes on the left delivered a cross field through ball to Redhead who racing into the area couldn't quite bring the high bouncing ball under control and the defender cleared the ball behind. Soon after this Hill loose their left back Singh -Basi and with three subs only one of whom is fully fit the Gaffers options are limited, Emerson a prolific and pacygoal threat is forced to left back to nullify the speed of the Docklands winger and Eve comes on as center forward, not his natural position but one he is learning to play usinghis strengths up front to good effect.
Docklands continued to try and squeeze the game pressing Hill and on 12 minutes they broke down the right and played a ball into the area that fell to their very big number 16 at the far post who looked certain to score but S Barrett made a fantastic brave save at his feet t clear the danger. Docklands where pressing and starting to get a little spell of control in midfield, but Hill have quality and talent all over the pitch and players who can create something out of nothing. On 20 minutes Redhead showed that when he latched on to a ball in midfield turned and hit a tremendous volley from fully 30 yards out which smashed against the top of theDocklands cross bar with the keeper well beaten.
A minute later Hill win a free kick on the left which is delivered to the near post by Johnston, Dackombe met the cross with a glancing header towards the far post which was cleared by the Docklands defence.
Docklands are continuing to press but with little end product at this point being well nullified by the hardworking Hill midfield and a very solid and well organised back four.
On 22 minutes Brookes crosses from the left but Eve's header sails wide of the post. two minutes later a Hill free kick is fired over the bar from 35 yards by Brookes. But Docklands are a strong and determined side and on 30 minutes they play a neat 1-2 which allows their forward to rifle a shot to the left of the goal which produces another great save from Barrett.
On 32 minutes Brookes sends in a great cross from the left onto the head of Eve who loops a great header over the top of the goal keeper and into the fat corner 2-0 and the Hill fans are floating on air in the stands.
In the final minute of the game Hill produce their best move of the half some neat interplay between Brookes and Redhead saw Brookes play a ball into Eve who bursts past three defenders and into the area and looks certain to score when challenged from behind, Luis Suarez would have gone down like a pint if ice cold larger in the sahara, but Eve has more integrity than that and stayed on his feet thinking of scoring and not trying to win a penalty. The ball went wide and as did a difficult chance that may have sealed the game. But it remained 2-0 at half time and keeping up the final atmosphere for the lads the Gaffer took the boys into the changing room. They had played well so no hairdryers were expected although big Dean was heard to ask for the curling tongs.
The second half kicked off and after 4 minutes Hill won a free kick on the right of the area which was delivered into the area but no one could get anything on it and the keeper gathered well. Three minutes later Docklands win a corner which is whipped in to the near post with pace and venom but the wind carries it behind and the danger passes. Docklands have started the have as they did the game with a high tempo and pressure all over the pitch but Hill remain solid and wellorganised.
Docklands are starting to put some passes together and on 10 minutes some nice interplay in midfield released their right winger but he had drifted offside and Docklands although playing good football could not find that final ball or end product.
On 12 minutes redhead played the ball out to Brookes on the left who under heavy pressure from defenders puts in a god cross but the advancing Hill players can't get on the end of it and the danger passes.
On 14 minutes Hill find their passing legs again and a great passage of interplay passing between Johnson, Redhead and Brookes, sees the ball inside to Redhead who switches the play out to Dackombe on the left whose ball back into the area is volleyed just wide by Redhead.
On 19 minutes a piece of quality from Docklands sees a fabulous cross field ball finding their forward free on the right and as he races into the area his fearsome shot is saved by Barret at this near post, the resulting corner is delivered well and falls to a Docklands forward whose goal bound shot is charged down by S Barrett. Two fabulous saves in quick succession by this ever improving goal keeper.
On 27 minutes Barrett showed his quality between the sticks when a 30 yard shot hit with power and accuracy is well saved by the keeper who is quick to react and make a blocked save as the ball fell to a Docklands forward, a wonderful double save.
Docklands are starting to dominate possession in the second half and Hill who only had one fit sub at the start of the game are looking a little heavy legged and Docklands 6 subs is allowing them to remain fresh and gain a little self belief. Hill have lost a little shape are httinglong balls and goingon runs rather than play the possession passing football that brought them to the final. There are some tired legs out there but they continue to close down and battle hard. But on 29 minutes a lax in concentration saw Hill loose the ball in midfield, Docklands moved the ball quickly out the right to find their big number 16 who one on one with the keeper opened his body and finished with this leftfoot.
With 2 and a half minutes left on the clock the Dockland 16 picks the ball up on the right of midfield, drifts across the front of the area and unleashed a shot of such power it would have graced a senior game into the back of the Hill net. Docklands are jubilant but Hill although disappointed know the game is not over and pick themselves up and ready for the fight.
The ref blows his whistle, 2-2 at full time and extra time looms. The gaffer and coach need to work hard to pick the boys up off the floor who with 6 minutes to go had one hand on the cup.
They certainly worked their magic as a flagging Hill team came out for extra time fired up and looking rejuvenated and with a new belief.
3 minutes into extra time and Redhead releases Eve who is through on goal and looks certain to score but a fabulous tackle from the impressive Docklands No 5 clears the danger out to Brookes whose rifled shot goes just wide.
A minute later Docklands break down the right and surge into the right of the Hill area looking dangerous but the ball is very well cleared by the Hill centre backs who have had a great game.
On 5 minutes Redhead breaks clear on the right and has a shot saved that rebounds out to Brookes who shoots just wide. The pressure is starting to take it's toll with both sides knowing a mistake could loose them the trophy.
Two minutes before the break in extra time Docklands fire a free kick in from 25 yards which is well held by S Barrett who is taking no chances of a rebound falling the wrong way.
The interval comes and Hill are looking much stronger than they did in the second period of normal time, but Docklands as a god side and both sets of fans know the game could go either way in the final 10mins of extra time.
Four minutes into the final period of extra time Hill play the football we have seen all season and trust in their ability to pass the ball with some flowing movement and great interplay between Eve and Redhead in the final third which saw the ball played to Redhead in space who hit a great shot that just went over the bar.
With two minutes left on the clock Redheadbroke down the left played the ball into the area finding Eve who turns the defender well but just can’t get his shot away. Docklands continue to press and move and with Hill remaining resolute and neither team able to get the bit of luck or final slice of quality to steal the game. The ref who together with his linesman has had a great game, blows full time and both sets of fans heave a sigh as the final is to be decided on penalties.
The Hill players are out on their feet and the coaching staff don' t find it easy to get 5 boys to put the ball on the spot. But five come forward and the shoot out starts. Hill go first and Foster steps out of the players gather on half way to take the first spot kick. After a bit of confusion about who was going first Foster is called forward puts the ball on the spot and buries it in the top right. The Docklands 16 steps up next to take their first pressure penalty and levels. Eight good penalties follow, but one of Hill's hit the post and as Docklands put the final one away with the Hill keeper having no chance on all five, docklands went wild and the Hill boys sank to their knees.
The boys did the club proud and were great representatives of Buckhurst Hill in what was a very close and exciting game, played with the pace passion and power of a top flight premiership game. The FA Chief Official stated after the game that in 20 years of watching London finals at all ages this was one of the top 3 games he had ever seen. A credit to both teams and the Buckhurst Hill boys should certainly be very proud of their performance. G Johnson got man of the match for a fantastic display of industrious play in midfield, but that award could just as easily gone to S Barret who was also magnificent.
The players and fans returned to Essex and celebrated our performance if not the result. The Gaffers quote was "Gutted", but we are not sure if that relates to his emotions or his waist line.
Well done boys no the way you want to loose the first game of the season but there is still plenty to play for and winners medals up for grabs.