Gorleston Rangers FC

Gorleston and Gt Yarmouth's Premier Youth Football Club

Bungay A V GRFC u12a

Bungay A V GRFC u12a Cup Semi Final January 23rd

Match report by "mitchel98"

Well its that time in the evening when Phillip Scholfield and Holly Willoughby are on TV so its time for me to write the report.....Honest I do not watch it, it is always on in the background when Im getting the school things and ironing ready for that hectic Monday morning!!! (that ones for you Gary Ingram we know don't we!)

This weekend was going to be another test of character as we are away to Bunday A, who we have never beaten in the League Cup Semi Final....one step closer to another final appearance...what would be the outcome?????

I am not a superstitious person (I think?) but I was going to take my new Nikon for full time pictures but last time I took it the boys lost!, Another superstitious person was missing today.....any guesses.....he was in close contact all match via the phone...................

After an excellent training session on Saturday morning the boys looked really up for the challenge and an opportunity to play in another Final. With some new and improved training routines being worked out it looked as though Fabio has got the hang of this managing lark!

 

The boys arrived at Bungays ground at around 1.30pm for a 2pm kick off, in their AC Milan kit (who was going to be the Van Basten, Gullit or for the younger ones KAKA of the team preferably all of them!) again the warm up routine was changed slightly not another superstition sign?!?! Fabio was sporting another change of woolly hat this time red to match the away kit - good co-ordinating Mrs Fabio! But I did not see the clip board - oh NO, NO clipboard why? Where was it? What's gone wrong? Another sign! I did try and get some pre-match comments from Fabio, but was only told I feel nervous and had butterflies - I should think he did unless it was the cows in the field nearby!

The independent official signals for the captains to be called to the centre circle, not a great deal of difference in which way we should shoot and the wind was coming across the field (oh no not another wind comment!) Fergie gave some words of encouragement and belief into the boys and Fabio that we are only 60 minutes away from that FINAL......here goes!!! Still not fully functioning on a full strength side, a number of the boys had only returned yesterday and today from cold viruses.

With another slightly different line up to previous weeks, Callum slotted in a Right back, Ben G centre half, Dylan moves to Left back and we welcomed back Matt after his illness but not 100% fit. The whistle singles the start of the game and straight away we go on the attack and look hungry for the ball. After a couple of not so convincing performances we certainly looked like we were getting back into our normal footballing stride. The first 10 minutes we were camped in the bungay half and chance after chance happened, at one point it was like the "alimo" (told you John I would use it - honestly letting your phone run out of battery!) The unexpected but not expected, Bungays flying forward latches onto a ball over the top and slots it into the back of the net for only to see it ruled off-side - we knew this was going to be Bungays lethal weapon! Then shaken from that we have a well worked set piece its 1-0 to Rangers with Connor claiming the goal, from here it looked like a Lewis header, but the replay did show otherwise! Again shots fly in on the Bungay goal, hitting the crossbar twice, post once and the keeper pulled off numerous saves none to than the 20 yard drive from Luke. Bungay then attack and cut inside to drill in the ball from just outside the box levelling it 1-1. Then possibly the move of the game, involving some brilliant one touch passing and moving involving Cal, Mitch, Spud, Zak and finished off by that left foot of Connor. Then we lose Spud halfway through the half, feeling sick!!! We still put pressure on Bungay within their half and goal mouth but cannot increase our lead, not wanting the whistle to go as we knew we were in control of this important game - then guess what??? What I hear you say? the whistle goes for half time!

Fabio and fergie call the boys in for that all important team talk, refreshments are taken in as well as some ventolin inhalers! A few boys still coughing and spluttering but raring to go for a very important 30 minutes!

Only one change at half time Spud feels a little better and returns to the park, we take kick off, Bungay re-shuffle slightly to try and break down our supply and our free flowing passing. Then we seem to lose our rhythm and belief and Bungay come back in the game and draw level from a similar goal which was dis-allowed in the first, through ball and their forward rounds Jordan. Bungay are lifted and are back in it, challenging for everything and breaking whenever they can. Free kick to rangers about 25 yards out, Connor places the ball, we push a few players forward to create a distraction. Connor takes not 3 but 4 steps back, the ref signals for the kick to be taken, he runs forward, swings his left foot throw the ball, its flies throw the air like a Boeing 747 towards the Bungay goal, is it? ....enjoying the build up........giving the keeper not a chance at all hit's the back of the net and give Rangers the lead again...how long left????? Rangers then make a tactical change, switching Zak and Mitch over, within 5 minutes the switch was causing problems Zak was flying down the wing. .Bungay rally on, only for rangers to break and the ball is played in from Lewis to Matt onto Mitch who holds the play up releases the ball to Spud on the edge who could not of caught it any sweeter with YES his left foot...hitting the back of the net a giving us a 4-2 lead. How long left? How Long? Bungay do not stop and come back only for us to lose the ball in the middle of the park, that man again latches onto it and round Jordan again bringing them back into it 4-3..........How long how long...text messages flying around, ref how long? Fabio and Fergie are starting to sweat and worry, come on boys hold your nerve. Then Bungay go direct and big, defender comes off, more boys go up front only 8 minutes remaining........we then attack with Matt who does the professional move...ball in on the corner flag only this was just a little too early to be doing this but good idea! Those 8 minutes were awful, then its Zaks turn going down the wing and playing the professional role........how long ref........30 seconds....we win a throw in their half.....back to the keeper, who release a long up field ball..........into our final third, they win a throw in, the ball into our box, Luke as ever clears the ball the referee blows and signals..........RANGERS, FABIO, FERGIE, DELIA and the all important PARENTS are off to the final!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the parents came upto me after the match to say, will there be a after Final party at the Cliff again? And they did say they would not be drinking on this occasion.........any guesses?

We may have reached the final but our celebrations were a little subdued!!!!

Well played each and everyone, Commiserations to Bungay who played their part in 60 minutes of a shear entertaining football match, three cheers for Bungay - hip hip hooray. Home now for a late roast dinner and a few pints to celebrate!!!

Jordan - Tall, commanding and brilliant distribution short or long today
Dylan - steady game probably one of your best games
Luke - Composed and steady in the back line
Ben G - Swept everything up and came through
Callum - Brilliant performance, control the ball and looked for a nice simple pass - could this be a new position?
Lewis - pink gloves again? Nice one touch football on the left
Connor - Fantastic first half performance caused them no end of problems and an superbly taken hat-trick could have been more! Probably your best game since your summer move.
Spud - Played even though felt sick all game but capped it with a lovely left footed mis kick
Mitch - Another strong first half performance nice one touch display creating chances - Yes I owe you £2 for a setup!
Zak - fast and unlucky in the first half, nice composure on the right when the change was made
Matt - Not 100% fit but again speed and control causes problems
Jack M - Had a good 15 minutes in the centre of midfield, some good tough challenges in the middle of the park
Ben H - Clubman performance! Injured foot but still came in full kit to support the team
James - Apologise for not getting involved today but 100% committed to supporting the boys
Fabio and Fergie - well that's a final appearance in the bag CONGRATULATIONS,...who will it be???
Delia - SUPERSTIOUS!!!!!!

One final point, boys Fabio, Fergie and Delia will shout but will also encourage, they want to win and do well like you all, DO NOT take things to heart listen and learn and you will only get better as a team!

Attendance - 41 adults, 8 children, NO VIP chairs or cyclists.................

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28 March 2024

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