We found out at 3pm that we would play Alcatraz Outlaws at 4pm in the quarter finals. We knew that they where a good team and I had watched them win the Gait Cup in 2011. We had earned the right to play them and had nothing to lose, we had the talent and where playing at a very high level.
We spoke to the players before the game and told them that we believed in them and we would play the two halves supporting and encouraging each other to the end, no matter what and we would leave it all on the field.
We made an impressive start with Elliott Leonard scoring, however it was disallowed for entering the crease, we thought it was still a goal as he had hit the net before he stepped in. Ben then scored from nice ball movement to go one up. A man-up play then gave us an easy shot from James Pomfret but the goalie made a great save. James scored not long after to make it 2. The game could have been different if James's shot had not been saved and Elliott's goal had not been waved off.
Alcatraz came back with 3 goals - one from and incorrect midfield change and another from the middies not getting back in quickly enough and unfortunately we never recovered. Although the score does not tell the tale, it was not like the game against NJLC the day before, we controlled the game in parts with both Hal and Jack Burke making key saves and the defence playing very well as a unit, this was probably the best defensive performance I have seen from a Knights team against American elite competition.
The game got away from us but we never gave up and supported each other until the end.
We went back to having a team picture with them, the team, coaches and parents where very respectful and made some very nice comments to the boys after the game.
It just so happened that our friends Shamrocks where playing Venom in the other quarter final on the same field after our game, so we stuck around and enjoyed seeing Shamrocks come away with a heavy victory, our boy Luke scoring some amazing goals along the way! Much chanting and banter was flying during the game and we all had a great time.
Zac Guy has done an amazing job coaching the lads and helping me.
Goals:
Ben Page Laycock
James Pomfret
No comments:
Post a Comment