Round #Quarter Final
The team was eager to get back to winning ways and with the prospect of a cup, semi was up for it from the first minute. We were moving the ball quickly and were immediately creating chances down both wings. After some more good play down the left by Dani beating a couple of players, he found the right pass across goal and Musa tapped it in to make it 1-0. We kept up the pressure with the midfield taking charge of the game. After a corner, Raheel then found himself on the edge of the box, one on one against his man he slipped passed him only to be brought down. Musa once again stepped up and slotted home the pen. We saw out the half 2-0 and in complete control.
We started off the second half in much the same way: not giving the other side any time on the ball, playing with proper intensity but keeping the passes short and simple. That pressure was again rewarded when Ata fired a volleyed cross across goal and Mesh headed it in (headed it in the sense it hit his head rather than he actually headed it).
At 3-0 We became a little complacent and a lack of concentration lead to the oppo getting one back to make it 3-1. Sprung back into action we raised our level again, and Dani once again skipped down the left to cross for Musa to get his hat-trick and to make it 4-1.
Unfortunately, we then again took our foot off the gas and a messy period of play saw the oppo score 2 goals to make it 4-3 and the match seem a lot closer than it ever was. All that was left was for Musa to turn provider when he slotted J through to calmly finish to make it 5-3 and kill the match off.
A very good performance (for most of the game anyway) saw us clearly too much for a team in the league above. Led by Ata in midfield, they never any time on the ball, and our ball retention was excellent for long periods, always with good intention and with lots of options, particularly from both full backs who were also excellent.
Geoff Ellis is a great lad and his cup is easily the best. Bring on the semi-final. Inshallah we can continue to improve and put in performances like today.
MOTM: Ata C
