Hurley 3-3 Sunninghill FC (sunninghill won 4-2 on penalties)
Ward 42' (pen), Harcup 52', Bennett 81'
Riding Hero as spot on Sunninghill progress...
Sunninghill progressed to the Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup 2nd Round with a 4-2 penalties victory over Hurley FC, with a number of players missing for various reasons (illness, injury, couldnt be bothered to play in county cup etc...) the squad made their way over to Hurley knowing little about the opposition.
A re-shuffled line up saw Bennett, McDowell and Forde all dropped to the bench, which could cost under fire assistant Avram Azarian his position, the match day manager started himself up front filling the large hole left by Bennett quite comfortably, partnering Tim Finch up front,
Chris Bond made what will probably be his only ever appearance at left midfield before being substituted at half time due to exhaustion, whilst keeper Chris Reagan played most of the match paralysed after a 50-50 collision early on.
But it was the visitors who started well without really creating before Hurley took the lead a slick throuh ball and finish past the onrushing Reagan made it 1-0 against the run of play, but fromthen on Hurley were now on top pushing but Reagan pulled off one world class save to tip a dipping 25 yard volley around the post, surely with the form of Paul Robinson such a worry Steve McLaren must give the youngster a chance soon.
With the management preparing the half time team talk a good passing move was met by Parker in the area who was caught late and a penalty was awarded, with Bennett off the pitch 2nd choice penalty taker Ward stepped up and his a dreadful penalty that somehow ended up in the net much to the embarrassment of the travelling support made it 1-1 at the break.
The turning point came then at half time, Bennett and McDowell were introduced for the tiring Bond and quieter than usual Azarian, with the move paying immediate dividends when Bennett was bundled over on the edge of the area, Harcup after a quick word with the ref bent the free kick early into the far corner to make it 2-1 much to the annoyance of the home side, a free kick that you definatly do see in the premiership.
Hurley equalised 15 minutes later when a free kick was met with an unchallenged header directed into the bottom corner, 2-2.
Then came another turning point, after what can only be described as the most basic of school boy errors the Hurley keeper was sent off for calling the ref a cheat, luckily for them they had a substitute keeper on the pitch, but luckily for Sunninghill the moment he waddled onto the pitch his first touch was to pick the bal out of the net, after Wards free kick was met by Bennett who glanced his header into the far top corner to make it 3-2, with 7 minutes left the game looked over until a long ball over the top was met by probably the slowest player on the pitch who held off 2 challenges, and unfortunately for us what he lacked in pace he made up for with composure smashing the ball into the far corner.
Full time 3-3.
Extra time was then played with a few chances being created but without really testing the new keeper, McDowell saw a looping heade come back off the underside off the bar, before Bennetts drive in the last minute cleared the crossbar by inches with the keeper well beaten, Hurley almost nearly scored but didnt.
So it went to penalties and a tactical masterstroke was made, with 2 minutes remaining Chris Reagan went up front and Martin Riding went in goal, his presence was immense as even though he went the wrong way, hurleys first kick went wide. Ward then stepped up and his penalty which was even worse than the first once again bobbled in, Hurley scored to make it 1-1 before a superb penalty from Gurr almost ripped the net off to make it 2-1, Hurley made it 2-2 sending Riding the wrong way before Bennett stepped up and produced a carbon copy of Zinedine Zidanes penalty in the world cup final, to show Ward how it was really done, luckily for Bennett he managed to avoid headbutting an opposing player and was not sent off. Hurleys 4th penalty was superbly saved by Riding in goal before like Ricardo against England he came out from between the sticks to slot home his penalty to seal our passage through to the next round.
Player Ratings
Chris Reagan - Warrior played with only one leg for 110 minutes, should be made captain. 11.
Jai Zutshi - Improved greatly overnight it seemed. 6.
Clinton Harcup - Aged a few years, grew some grey hairs and learnt how to score a free kick. 7.
Chris Bond - Looked composed on the ball and scored a great pen. 8.
Martin Riding - Solid as Ever, saved one pen and scored the deciding one. 8.
Dave Barron - Rubbish, played with a torn groin muscle and it showed. 6.
Dan Parker - Alright. 7.
Ben Moutrey - Solid performance, was switched around and did well in each position. 7.
Mike Ward - Terrible. 7.
Ali Azarian - Claimed he was a striker, then ran off at half time. 6.
Tim Finch - Handful up front battled well went close with couple of headers. 7.
Subs
Jon Bennett - A class act, by far the best looking player on the pitch and scored a good goal. 7.
Rob Forde - Arrived at half time, woke up by Full time and battled well during extra time. 7.
Paul McDowell - Covered every position on the pitch and didnt stop running all game. 7.
