Report

The sun shone on the show piece day for the Shropshire junior League Cup Final.

A large following assembled to watch and enjoy the Chargers first appearance at the Finals.

Kick Off was scheduled for 11.00am and the team arrived just about on time, Chris B, delayed by volcanic dust on his early morning return from Southport and Zak P just playing it cool and grabbing an extra few zzz before putting on those socks.

The starting eleven were
Jake M
James S Sam V Jon B Zak P
James D Chris B
Jay E Tom J

Cam I Tom L

This was a tough call for the manager obviously those not starting would be upset.

Chargers Kicked off playing up the infamous Scat slope after BV won the toss, a quick break down the right had Tom L set clear of the defence and bearing down on goal, come on Tom, but on this occasion his shot drifted just wide of the left hand post, come on chargers - it looked like we had settled well and if we continued in this style the right result would follow.

GOAL - on BV-s first attack (aaaggh) their left winger managed to get the better of James S and from almost an impossible angle he turned and bent a super shot across the goal and into the side netting on the far side bum! 0-1

Chargers step up there play pushing forward whenever they could Cam I went close on a couple of occasions and Tom L almost shook off his defender, another sweeping move saw Cam I controlling the ball just outside the area on the left hand side turning strongly he rode the first challenge before steadying himself and taking careful aim powered a shoot across the helpless keeper into the right hand corner of the net GOOOAAALLLLLL 1-1

It was BV-s turn to pick up the pace and taking advantage of the slope they pushed Chargers back but Chargers defence stood firm Sam V and Jon B mopping up all that was sent their way, Injury, Chris -Cryff turn- B showed fantastic skill in turning out of defence past three players but just as he cleared the ball he was Trod on by a small heffer! Poor Chris never recovered and for him his final was over, particularly cruel after such an early start to the day.

A re-jigged team saw Cam I dropping back into midfield and Thom G coming on up front. Before we had had time to settle we were defending another corner this one from the right. BV-s corners were a constant threat and this was eluded Jake and Jay to be headed home by one of BV-s impressive midfielders 1-2

Tom L was a constant threat to the BV back line running them ragged when ever he got the chance Thom G showing good touches Chargers chances were just not quite falling into place, another BV break down the right (BV were very good down this flank) saw another corner and again Chargers defenders and keeper were left watching as the ball was knocked in to the goal 1-3 Come on Chargers

James D working hard as ever in midfield linked well with Jay and Tom J and Tom L was chasing a through ball, Tom got there first, striking his shoot goal ward but the keeper had charged off his line racing out feet first he block the shot before colliding painfully with Tom. Tom had an Addias foot print for all to see on his chest and the chargers top score was helped from the field oddly no penalty was awarded - that said there was know malice in the keeper just an unfortunate clash, but well inside the area.

Sub no 2 was Sam T a straight swap pushed on up front as half time approached.

If you have bothered to read these dreadful match reports before you will know that Sam is a frustrating player, in training he is lively and energetic (well he runs around a bit) in matches some times he disappears as the bigger lads seem to overwhelm him.
But Sam is as good a striker of a football we have in the team and with half time almost upon us he cast his magic on this game. Now Sam is a box player but today he collected a pass some 35 yrds out, normally Sam would look for a pass never trusting himself to move forward with the ball, well not today a quick turn saw him advancing on goal with Thom G pulling wide on the right looking for a pass, just when it looked like Sam had over run the ball he let fly with a thunder bolt from 25yrds (sam says 40yrds!) the keeper was lucky it missed him the shot was timed so well that it looked effortless (at last power and finesse had paid off) anyway Sam -jimmy grimble- T power driver flew into the bottom left hand corner and brought the score back to 2-3 one goal behind with the slope to favour us in the second half, a quick reshuffle saw Cam I drop back to right back, James S onto left wing, Tom J centre mid and Zak made way for Gareth at left back.

HALF Time

With the slope in our favour Chargers pilled on the pressure, Tom L now back on for James S, Thom G, Tom J, Jay E all went close Chargers corners came to nothing and Jake became a spectator, time ticked on, come on lads get me that equaliser, a swift move out to the right saw Jay crossing the halfway line at pace. rounding the stranded left back who by now looked unsure as to what day of the week it was, Jay saw the keeper off his line and took aim with a speculative shot, the ball was ‘in’ from the moment it left his foot the chargers fans were all behind its trajectory and soon the keeper was bending to recover it from the net 3-3 and possibly the largest football -pile on- ever seen in Shropshire followed.

Come on Boys win it, Chargers were now in charge! Dom came on for Sam T as we pushed for the winner corner after corner was swung in by Jay, James D heading everything and everyone! But it would not go in

10mins to go, saw Dom help the ball left, Tom J kept it going and again Tom -addidas chest- L was away on goal, Come on Tom as the chargers crowd held their collective breath, Tom steadied himself keeping the keeper at range and with a neat side step he was coolly dispatching the ball into the net and the Shropshire all time -pile on- record was beaten again 4 - 3 Chargers

Come on lads less than 10mins to go, BV fought back strongly, they really are a very nice set of boys with a super manager and just all-round good people, and I guess they deserve red another bite at this game.

A couple of BV corners went without reward buy Chargers were still finding it tough to defend Stuart was curling it some great crosses and with 5mins remaining BV got there equaliser 4-4

Extra Time, BV probably had more of the play but to be honest chances were few as both teams were reluctant to over commit.

Final Whistle 4 - 4 Pens

Well played Chargers, 7 put their hands up
Sam V looked knackered
James S was keen but seemed pleased that i opted for the following
Tom J, Jon B, James D, Jay E and Thom G - a goods set of 5 if i say so myself

BV went first scored 1-0
Chargers Tom J - very cool tucked into right hand side 1-1
BV - Jake makes a great save come on boys 1-1
Chargers Jon B drives it into the roof of the net with the keeper taking cover 1-2
BV Score 2-2
Chargers - James D shots hard but too close to the keeper who makes a good save 2-2, and three taken each
BV Miss shot is screwed wide of the right post
Jay E - Firmly places the ball right of the keeper 2 - 3 come on lads
BV - Jake pulls off another fantastic save 2-3 and the CUP is ours Pheww what a game Thom G is spared the ordeal of taking the fifth but I know he would of tucked it away.

After the previous huge pile ons the boys were much calming recognising how close this had been and how well BV had played, to a man they all went and shook hands with the BV players who to their credit congratulate Chargers on this Famous victory, if my boy didn’t play for Chargers I would like him to play for a team like Belle Vue.

Very Well done Chargers a great Team effort right to the end your MADs and manager are extremely proud of you FANTASTIC!

Photos

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