Oh When the Saints

Cup semi-final day. We faced Shefford Saints, away. This is the first time we have played 1st division opponents. However, we always felt we had a chance if we played to our best.

The omens were good - Barnsley dumping Chelsea out of the FA Cup yesterday, and Potsmouth doing the same to Man. United. Playing conditions were virtually perfect. We had a full squad available for the first time in several games, and promptly at 10:30 we were off.

The first attack came from Shefford, but straightaway Brickhill re-took the initiative and forced a corner. What followed was text-book: a good ball in to the near-post found Niall's head and then the back of the net. 1 - 0 to Brickhill after 2 minutes. What a start !

Brickhill now had to weather a series of attacking moves from the 1st division side. A goalmouth scramble resulted in no goal, then their #11 shot wide after breaking free and beating Angus in goal. More chances were squandered by the home team - a header wide from a corner, shots over bar.

However, although Shefford had plenty of chances they were not wholly dominating either and there was good football from Brickhill as well.

Eventually, Shefford did find a goal. A goal kick into the wind was won by the red shirts, and they were able to take it back into our box and past the keeper. 15minutes gone, and level.

There was pressure at both ends but no further scoring. To be 1 - 1 at half time seemed a good situation, really, and we could see that we had a chance.

At the re-start, we made the first in-roads, but on the counterattack, Shefford fired a low one in from the wing and the ball slid through Angus' dive. The home side now had the lead for the first time, but we kept up the pressure although the last ball seemed to be missing. Fred came on for Dominic and there were a number of promising attacks.

3 - 1 was the next scoreline when a solid shot was out of reach. We still looked capable of closing the gap. A goal-mouth scramble somehow resulted in no goal, and Elijah fired more than one effort on target, but the keeper was always in position.

With less than 15 minutes to go, Shefford found another goal although this effort was surely offside. Unfortunately, the referee and his assistant did not see it that way and at 4 - 1 down it was likely to be an uphill struggle.

The Hawks continued to battle to the final whistle, forcing several corners and free kicks, but we failed to find the magical comeback.

At the end, 4 -1 flattered the victors. Over 60 minutes, Shefford probably deserved to win but it was in no way a one-sided encounter and left no doubt that Brickhill were justified to be in the semi-final. It has been a fantastic cup run that is a credit to the team and the coaches. Sadly, it is now over for this season.

We hear that Kempston were 5 - 0 winners over EB lions in the other match, to set up an all 1st-division final.

SHEFFORD SAINTS 4 - 1 BRICKHILL WANDERERS
Niall (2min)

Well done again to Sandra and Darren for taking the team this far in their first 11-a-side season.