Going into this cup game, Trinity E had won every game this season and were top of Division E. Forest Glade A had won all but one of their games. Both teams were full of confidence, which set this up to be an interesting game. Unfortunately, the pitch was heavy after significant rainfall and both teams had trouble playing flowing football and passing the ball through the middle of the pitch.

Forest Glade had the best of the early possession without creating any clear cut chances. Against the run of play, a defensive error by Forest Glade, lead to Trinity E intercepting a pass just inside the Forest Glade half. A neat firm pass went right through the Forest Glade defence, which was followed swiftly by a Trinity E striker who shot firmly from inside the penalty box, low into Oliver’s right hand corner. Trinity E were leading 1 – 0. Forest Glade continued to dominate the midfield and began to create more attacks and had several good chances to score. Forest Glade got their equaliser when Shaun played a long pass to AJ who found himself in some space. AJ dribbled the ball to the edge of the penalty box, as the goalkeeper came out, and then he struck the ball firmly and confidently under the diving goalkeeper, to make it 1-1. Just before half time, Trinity E had a shot on goal, which was hit with some power, which Oliver saved well. Half time score 1 – 1.

After a team talk and a tactical change for Forest Glade, the yellows started as they had left off the first half. Virtually all the pressure was on the Trinity E goal. But it took a little bit of luck to get the second goal. George crossed the ball diagonally from outside the penalty box across the face of the goal, which evaded every defender. The goalkeeper came to claim the ball but it stopped suddenly in the mud and Daniel got one touch before any of the closest defenders and the goalkeeper and then took a second decisive touch to shoot into the goal. Forest Glade were now in front. The Trinity E defence appeared to look a little nervous after this as Forest Glade seemed to grow in confidence.

Trinity E continued to battle but Forest glade were now winning most of the loose balls and using the wings to good effect. George made some strong runs down the left and Max had some success down the right, against a very fast left back. But it was Daniel who created the best move of the match. After receiving a nice ball from midfield, Daniel went down the left hand side near to the by line and crossed the ball with his left foot. The cross was the perfect height for AJ who headed the ball firmly and cleanly high into the near corner. It was now 1-3.

Forest Glade appeared to step up another gear. With about 15 minutes to go, Forest extended their lead. AJ, Daniel and George were all involved, with a few neat passes and then Daniel struck a lovely ball across the goal with defenders blocking his path to goal, just inside the penalty box. The ball went right across the goal and Max was on hand at the far post to tap the ball in.

A few minutes later, Shaun and Max combined resulting in Max getting to the by line on the right and crossing the ball. Shaun jumped but was beaten to the header by a defender. The ball looped up over both of their heads and the goalkeeper. It dropped on the edge of the 6 yard box and Tom was the first to react and stretched out and managed to get enough of a touch to get the ball in, just inside the far post. It was 1 – 5. What a turn around from half time ! With only a few minutes left, Forest Glade attacked again. There were a couple of good passes in the Forest Glade half and then a long ball found AJ on the right wing in space. AJ headed straight for goal, with both Tom and Daniel keeping up. It was 3 against 1, but AJ only had eyes for goal. He struck the ball sweetly across the face of the goal, as the goalkeeper dived. The ball evaded the keeper and went into the side netting. That was AJ’s hat-trick. Just before the final whistle, Trinity had a final attack and whipped the ball quickly into the box. A striker hit the ball hard at about shoulder height, to Oliver’s right. Oliver put out his right hand and made a wonderful save, turning the ball round the post. The best save that the writer had seen since the spectacular save Oliver made in the first round of the cup, in the penalty shootout last season.