Saturday 1st December saw the Rovers take on Bracknell Athletic ……
After a late pitch change the boys were raring to go and carry on their impressive winning streak. Assistant coach Lee put the boys through there pacing in the warm up which made me feel tired. The usual suspects of support were on the touchline and eagerly awaiting the start of the game with brollies to hand and the customary scoffing of sausage rolls cooked by Gemma.
The game kicks off with a changed line up at front of Kam and Leo. Finch were on it from the kick off with twinkle toes Sam F and Lucas the enforcer controlling the midfield. Some great inter play and George was off running like a gazelle down the right wing, causing Bracknell’s defence problems. Twice he played Kam through on goal but no cigar but the signs looked promising.
In the defence were Oliver (never gives the ball away) and Jake (Mr Captain), Finch are playing some scintillating one and two touch football but were having to be on their toes as Bracknell had some fast centre forwards but the offside trap was working well and the eagle eyed linesman Steve was definitely up to the task.
It’s all Finch in the first 25 minutes but they can’t find that elusive finish. A double change up front with Ajay and Harrison (Little Zola) replacing the ever willing Leo and Kam. James playing at right back is a changed player and gets stuck in with tackles and intelligently playing the balls down the line for George.
Corner after corner whipped in by Ajay but the ball just would not bounce kindly for us and Bracknell were defending bravely. So after a pulsating first half the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
Will we live to regret the missed opportunities squandered?
The second half begins and from the kick off Finch were on the attack with twinkle toes Sam F and Lucas combining well with neat one two’s and then playing a killer pass through for Little Zola who played an inch perfect pass to Ajay to flick over the advancing keeper with the outside of his right foot GOAL 1-0 Finchampstead Rovers get in there Boom.
The goal seemed to spark Bracknell Athletic in to life as they started pressuring Finch’s defence but time and again the legendary linesman was in the right place at the right time with his flag and when Bracknell did beat the offside trap Luke in goal made three crucial saves and made one outstanding full length save to deny Bracknell an equalizer but unfortunately he could do nothing to keep out a rasping shot from Bracknell’s centre forward 1-1.
Have the Rovers got the character to dig deep and go for the win?….. Simple answer Yes with Lucas the enforcer and Jake making marauding runs out of defence. Simon the Manager makes his final subs with Alfie, Luke and George coming on to hopefully make the difference. You bet they can and with 8 minutes to go a quick through in by George deep in Bracknell’s half of the pitch releases Harrison (Little Zola) who turns one defender for dead, then without even looking up cuts the ball back to the edge of the box where the ever willing Lucas C ran on to the pass and absolutely hammered the ball low and hard from 20 yards out in to the back of the net GOAL 2-1 Rovers with 8 MINUTES to play.
Another change brings on Sam T to help win the midfield battle as both teams were fighting for every ball. Almost heart break as Bracknell thought they had scored an equaliser but with linesman yet again in the right place and being consulted by the referee and under immense pressure from the home crowd but stuck to his job gallantly.
Final Score 2-1 to Finchampstead Rover and the winning streak continues.
Both teams gave their all and should be proud of themselves but on the balance of play and with some magical football in the first half Finchampstead Rovers deserved the win. One click away from your upgraded Inbox
