State Cup Match Report – O35.1B – Game Date: 30/06/2019

BMFC O35.1B: 1
vs
Baulkham Hills FC: 1

BMFC Goal Scorers: Mark Sem

Player of the Match: Zap

Match Report: State Cup 1/4 Final v Baulkham Hills

We arrived early at the HQ of Football NSW. Like FA Cup finalists at Wembley we all walked onto the playing surface pre-game for a pitch inspection. Imagine our horror when we realised it was an artificial surface and after a few passes saw that the ball ran true – no Knapsack bounce! The usual excuse for an error had been taken away

With 17 available for selection someone had to take a bullet for the team and yours truly found himself in the firing line. After negotiating with The Gaffer for 90 minutes as centre forward for the next 3 games a deal was struck and I put all my efforts into getting the team sheet written out correctly – that might sound easy to those non-Managers out there. It’s not

The changing room was bigger than my lounge and The Gaffer found that his usual piece of cardboard used to show the starting line up and formation was obsolete with a large white board on the wall

The game underway and not too much to report until about 10 minutes in. A long corner nodded in at the back post and we were 1-0 down. Baulkham Hills got on top for the next 15 or so but the defence of Brad, Tolly, Paul, Greenie & when introduced Pom were excellent and when they were beaten Zap was on hand to make a brilliant save or two. Chicken was introduced into the centre of midfield and added real bite and the tide turned. An early ball out of midfield from Captain Marvel got Mark Sem away – coolly firing past the oncoming keeper. 1 all

The second half and we suffered a few injuries. Captain Marvel went down taking a short free kick, his knee giving way. Chicken’s knee couldn’t handle the hard surface any longer. Dave was introduced and provided an entertaining 10 minutes for the crowd – 2 yellow cards and a penalty! Zap brilliantly saved the penalty to keep it level. We won a free kick on the edge of the box with time running and JB curled it over the wall, the keeper doing just enough to turn it away for a corner

Extra time and the 10 boys continued to put their bodies on the line to keep Baulkham Hills out. We had one last chance to win it late on when Archie threaded the needle to set up Thor but his first touch was a bit heavy and the chance was gone. Iceman went down with a minute to go and with penalties looming we all held our breath – unfortunately he had to come off

The penalty shoot out was close – all scoring aside from Archie who was denied by the width of the post. A cruel way to lose but heads held high as the team performance was superb

Player of the match to Zap for some outstanding saves to keep us in it and honourable mention to Tolly for an excellent game at centre back