As dawn broke a number of the Dads were out walking dogs, trying to kill time – today was Semi final day and one step away from Wembley……… The players were still in bed without a care in the world!!
The opponents were Warwick Juniors, fourth in Division 1 so a big ask for the Wanderers. The pitch was superb and such a change to the frosty or muddy pitches of the last few weeks.
Warwick started well with a couple of early breaks which were well dealt with by the defensive pairing of Dan and Matt – ably assist by Roger in the centre of midfield doing a man marking job on one of his school mates. Warwick had the first corner of the game – they were well drilled and as the game went on, their corners would become a real weapon. The first 10 mins found the sides feeling each other out with no clear cut chances except a free kick from Warwick which went over the bar.
Then the game came to life – that man James again , with a burst of speed he was through 2 defenders and 1 on 1 with the goalie, cooling slotting the ball between his legs 1-0. If Warwick didn’t know about Billy Wizz James, they did now! Within 2 minutes he was off again with a carbon copy run after a good pass from Jason, this time just putting the ball wide. Zac was now getting in to the game with some silky skills on the right, feeding James and Jason but Warwick defending was holding firm.
After 13 minutes Daniel came on for Zac and Will for Jason. Immediately they combined, resulting in Will drilling a shot wide. Roger was become more and more a tower of strength in the central midfield role, seeing plenty of the ball and releasing James who had a long range shot over the bar.
On 16 minutes James had another run, this time his shot was deflected but there was Daniel ‘Michael Owen’ in his customary place to finish off from 2 metres out – his third goal in 3 games. 2-0 and Wanderers were looking awesome. Matt continued to clear the ball with great confidence as Warwick pressed to get back into the game, one such clearance fell to Will who was fouled in the Warwick half, Roger took the long range free kick just wide. Daniel dribbled past two players before passing to Roger who put in an excellent cross which just needed a touch but James and Will got in each others way and the chance was gone. The last 5 minutes of the half saw Warwick pressurize the Wanderers goal, with 3 corners, they were getting closer and closer – if we could just get to half time with the lead intact!!Then another break for the Wanderers, a great clearance from Dan found Daniel on the wing who fed the ball to Will who put in a great cross but James just couldn’t get a touch on it. Hold on lads, halftime is nearly here and Joe in goal has not really had a shot to save…….. The whistle blows and we can breath a sigh of relief Halftime 2-0.
WE knew what was coming in the second half and as expected Warwick started like a train, totally dominating the first 5 minutes with attacking football, but Dan and Matt were absolutely superb throughout, Joe , in goal seemed to be touching the ball every 30 seconds or so, but nothing was good enough to beat him. On one of their corners Warwick had a fantastic header just wide – maybe it wasn’t to be their day. Yet another corner and straight through the goal mouth with no touches, Wanderers just cant get the ball out of their own half. Then a break for Wanderers with the ball fed to Daniel – he tried to feed the ball to James who was clear but it somehow became a shot – the goalie fumbles and……just wide. Another freekick by Rog the Dodge and Will tried a first time swivel shot which went just wide. It looks as Wanderers have weathered the storm – 20minutes to go and still a two goal cushion. Then from nowhere’ off went Billy whizz down the left, he cuts inside the last defender and is brought down cynically just inside the area – PENALTY.
Up steps the penalty taker Dan… parents can’t look could this make the game safe/…. YEEEEEESSSSSS into the bottom corner, reliable as ever 3-0 well done Dan.
Things were getting heated on the Warwick bench and after a shouting match with the referee, the Warwick coach was yellow carded to the total bewilderment of the players on the pitch. On with the game and Jason and Zac are back on for Dan and Will. James was helping out the defending well but goal kicks seemed to always fall to a Warwick player and the pressure was on again. Another corner to Warwick and their striker put it over from 2 yards – surely it was going to be our day. The pressure grew and grew, everyone was defending for their lives – Matt, Zac, Dan, Roger etc, you stood up like men nothing was going to pass. James relieved the pressure with another run, cynically brought down again, this time just outside the area, Roger tried a curler… its going in, its going in… ohhhhh just wide. Warwick’s coach had had enough and told the referee something – what’s this, match stopped and the coach red carded – just the breather Wanderers needed. Then a free kick to Warwick on the edge of the area, everyone asleep and the ball is powered into the Wanderers goal even before a wall could be formed – Joe had no chance as it took a slight deflection. 5 minutes to go surely they cant score another 2 to take the tie into extra time. Late change by coach taking James off and Roger into defence it was going to be a long 5 minutes. Coach was shouting like we have never heard before – careful Richard or you’ll get a card as well! Warwick were all over the wanderers but either put the shot wide or Super Joe was there to smother. 3minites to go surely the hallowed turf is in site. 2 minutes and more pressure. 1 minute, I think we are there and then finally the final whistle – dances of joy, beaming faces of the players, mothers crying with relief, grandfathers pacemakers going wrong … they had done it, made the Final of the cup in their first season together – very proud and well deserved, their best team performance by far – full team for man of the match.
Leamington Juniors await in the final on 24th April – get your tickets now, it will be a sell out – if the semi Is anything to go by full medical checks for parents required before then.
Thanks boys what a great day!!!!

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