Haddenham United Vs Wingrave
Sheffield Jackman Cup Semi Final
2nd April 2011
Haddenham United faced Wingrave for the fourth time this season in the semi final of the Sheffield Jackman Cup. Having gone out on penalties at this stage last year United was keen to make up for that disappointment and book their place in the final.
The game was played at neutral Fairford Leys, and on a bright sunny day with a flat pitch to play on (for a change) Haddenham were optimistic of putting in a good performance.
That optimism proved to be misplaced with Haddenham starting in second gear for the opening exchanges before slowing things still further by dropping into first gear!
Wingrave looked the hungrier team and were comfortably in control. With 15 minutes gone they deservedly opened the scoring with a good finish when the Haddenham defence failed to clear.
It took another 15 minutes for Haddenham to wake up and start to put some decent moves together, but even with this improvement Wingrave still looked the better side.
The final 15 minutes of the half saw Haddenham have their best spell of play without really creating any clear cut chances.
Half time and losing 1 -0 Haddenham knew they had to improve or suffer the heartbreak of losing their second semi final in 2 weeks.
The half started brightly for United and they started to press Wingrave team further up the pitch. Haddenham started to create chances but Wingrave continued to look dangerous on the break.
With 30 minutes to go Tatum and Simmons replaced Lewis and Surnam and the injection of pace, from Tatum in particular, started to push Wingrave onto the back foot. Rowley and Goy had a couple of half chances each but the much needed breakthrough continued to evade Haddenham.
With 15 minutes of normal time left Haddenham made their last change with 16 year old Ash Baldwin, making only his second appearance, replacing right back Gav White as Haddenham gambled on a 3-4-3 formation.
The balance of play tilted in Haddenham’s favour as the tiring Wingrave midfield and defence came under increasing and consistent pressure. With just 3 minutes remaining Haddenham struck.
A free kick left of centre 35 yards from goal gave Matt ‘Barry’ Tatum the chance to deliver a cross into the crowded Wingrave penalty area. First to react was Gonzalo Goy who got the deftest of touches (so he says) to put the ball through the keepers legs and take the tie into extra time.
Although the momentum was with Haddenham the result still hung in the balance as extra time started with both teams looking determined but tired.
Chances came and went with both Haddenham’s keeper James Morris and the Wingrave keeper being called into action with Rowley having a great opportunity to seal the tie.
The winning goal, when it came, was worth the wait. A cross field ball found Rowley surrounded by 2 defenders. Controlling the ball instantly he held them off before beating one and drawing the other into an attempted challenge. Spotting the overlapping run of Baldwin he played a beautifully weighted pass into his run which the youngster controlled and surged past the defence.
Left one on one with the keeper Ash showed a calmness and maturity beyond his years, calmly driving the ball across the keeper into the left hand corner of the goal. A great move and finish worthy of winning a tight semi final.
Both teams looked very tired and although Wingrave tried desperately to take the game to penalties Haddenham defended strongly to win the tie and go through to the final.
All in all this was a decent performance after a sluggish start with Haddenham showing great team spirit and the added reward of a final against giant killing Ludgershall to look forward to Monday 11th April.