Goals: Tom McGuire (2) & Mark Brown.Battling torrential rain and gale force winds, Saracens slide through to the next round of the European Cup with an extra-time win over Dukes Head.
With Herman and Jon Callaway unavailable and regular strikers Adam Sharp and Callum Whitty both missing from the line-up at the weekend, Scott Bennison was forced to shuffle his pack. Enright and McGuire were available for selection and took over the defensive duties, Davis was pushed into midfield with Brown, Chris Callaway made a start on the left with Cahill and Taff partnering up-front.
Lloyd Twyman also made a return to the squad after successful nipple reduction treatment - proudly shown off in the pitcure on the right.
It was Wokingham side Dukes Head who started brightest in the game, latching on to a series of under weighted passes from the home side and testing the back 4. Saracens needed to improve the passing because the slight lack of pace in the side was evident and thankfully they did.
With 15 minutes gone Cahill and Taff were causing problems in the away sides penalty area, with the keeper drawn out of his goal mouth Holden crossed to Callaway who teed up Davis for a delicate left foot lob. The graceful effort hit the underside of the bar and was headed off of the line by a retreating defender for a corner.
It was from this corner that Dukes Head took an unexpected lead. A hoofed clearance was called for by Enright and Sharp who decided it would only be gentlemanly to let each other have the ball. This meant the ball continued on its path to the Saracens goal and the away number 9 calmly passed square to his team-mate to prod home. 0-1.
The rain continued to pour. Was it going to be a drenching for the Saracens spirits?
Saracens, playing up the slope, continued to press and were getting into a bit more of a groove. Good simple passes from the back four into midfield started to encourage space. Cahill and Taff were holding the ball wherever possible.
Enright and McGuire were playing the offside trap to good effect. Callaway was doing a good job on the left with effective passing and good decisions, while Holden was still crossing on every opportunity from the right.
Half-time came with no change to the scoreline. Bennison rallied the troops from under Callum's umbrella.
The second half was a one-sided affair. Cahill created a chance for himself on the edge of the box, only to see his curling effort imprint a muddy patch on the far post. Davis tried another left-footer which the keeper saved. Dukes Head were relying on increased numbers in defence to ward off danger.
On 65 minutes Twyman came on wide-right. Callaway and Taff switched positions. Both changes gave Saracens more pace down the slope. With Saracens attacking only long break away passes were a threat to the home defence. Phipps making a great covering challenge to note. Twiggy often swept up through balls and closed off strikers advances - in between farting to keep himself warm.
Saracens threw the big men into the box for corners and long-throws as they searched for an equaliser. Bennison came on at right back of the four, which soon changed to a three, McGuire pushed up front.
Goals on Sunday didn't take long to resurrect himself. A long throw from Twyman was well bought down by Brown, who flicked the ball into the centre for McGuire to head in past the static keeper. 1-1.
Full time. Extra time...
After all the wind and rain nobody would have wanted to lose in extra time of this game. Even heavier downpours precipitated during the 30 minutes as areas of the pitch became mud patches. Dukes Head began to tire in the additional periods, and although Saracens continued to press the first 15 minutes remained goalless.
With the game turned round and Saracens back down the slope, there was a moment of madness from the home keeper. Twyman's placed ball behind the Dukes left back looked to be heading into the keepers hands - and it did... However he was a good 3 yards outside of his penalty area, handball!
On another day the keeper could have seen red for this, but the well-spirited game continued without cards. McGuire somehow elected himself to take the free-kick. Hit and hope was the theme. His low driven effort passed the side of the wall and clipped a defenders foot before squeezing under the sprawling keeper. 2-1.
Dukes Head looked beaten by this point. Saracens continued only as they new how, on the attack. With minutes to play a third sealed the victory. Good build up play on the right led to a cross for Mark Brown to pass home from just outside the 6-yard box. 3-1.
Overall a solid and professional display. The European Cup is still a possibility and we will eagerly await the draw for the next round.
Saracens: Twiggy, Sharp (Bennison), Enright, McGuire, Phipps, Holden (Twyman), Davis (c), Brown, C Callaway, Taff, Cahill.
I have been asked to confirm that no photo editting has taken place with Llloyd's photo.
ReplyDeleteWe take these qusetions and issues very seriously and would never alter a photo for comical purposes.