Blackwater Valley Progress In The Ernesto Santos Show...
It was the 2007 league champions who progressed in this Premier Division Cup quarter final after a 3-0 win over 9 man Sunninghill.
After some late withdrawals a patched up side took to the field and were immediately put under pressure by the hosts, and the midfield were beginning to get over run and looked to be missing the presence of captain Dan Parker,
Chris Regan was called into action making 2 fine saves to keep the score at 0-0 before on 15 mins Blackwater deservedly took the lead when a centre midfielder recieved the ball after a well worked move and his low shot looked like it had been saved again by Regan but the ball looped up off the keepers legs and dipped just under the crossbar.
Blackwater continued to dominate and Rob Harcup was withdrawn injured replaced by Rob Forde in the middle that gave a bit more energy into the Sunninghill side, Regan made another 2 good saves just before half time and the team was able to regroup with the score still at 1-0.
The second half was a little more evenly balance with Sunninghill still failing to really trouble the Blackwater back line however they were starting to win free kicks and corners in dangerou areas, and the game turned on one of these moments, with referee Ernesto Santos looking at the wall a scuffle broke out behind him in the area with Paul McDowell and an opposition defender, as the referee turned to see both players had hold of each other, and after being informed by a Blackwater player of the incident decided to send off McDowell and only book the other guilty player, an amazing decision by the referee who did not see the incident or did not speak to the linesman.
Manager Clinton Harcup then obviously frustrated by the awful decision let his temper get the better of him and was also sent off for Dissent, leaving 9 players on the field and 35 minutes to play, but the side did not let their heads drop and got on with the job in hand as best they could, that was until 20 minutes remained when Regan parried a shot and the rebound was fired back in, it was all one way traffic but the side were still defending well, and could have even reduced the defecit had Charlie Harcup made contact with Bennetts left wing cross
Man Of The Match Gurr was superb at the heart of the defence repelling attack after attack before the home side inevitably added a 3rd in the final minute when a strong run down the left and cut back was fired into the top corner from 8 yards out.
Not to much else to say apart from the fact that the game was ruined as a contest by one of the worst decisions in Sunday league football! At first appears sour grapes but when the fact of the matter is that a player was dismissed based on another players word you really have to start asking questions, the second dismissal there can be no complaints about but it was just a shame that a well contested game ended in this way.
Player Ratings...
Chris Regan - Superb display, made a lot of top class saves to keep the score down. 9.
Jai Zutshi - Dealt well with threat down the wings. 7.
Ross Miller - Showed again another mature display and did well during second half onslaught. 8.
John Gurr - Solid display, first to the loose balls and defended very well. 9.
Clinton Harcup - Did ok in first half before letting down team mates talking himself into sending off. 4.
Charlie Harcup - Worked hard and did well snuffing out attacks when moved into defensive role. 7.
Rob Harcup - Never got to grips with opposition before being withdrawn injured. 5.
Paul McDowell - Did not have legs for midfield battle, but looked to play before crazy sending off. 6.
Toby Underwood - Did not do a lot wrong but struggled going forward. 6.
Jon Bennett - Failed to really make an impact on Blackwater defence. 6.
Dave Barron - Struggled up front before vast imrpovement when moved to centre back role. 7.
Subs
Rob Forde - Early appearance and worked hard but struggled to really make an impact. 7.
