Semi Final heartbreak

Report

For the second time in their history, Redolence entered a semi-final on the back of a winning run against a team they’d beaten in previous weeks- this time Studley Swan down a heavy and sticky Greenland’s pitch 2. The squad was healthy despite the absence of Phil and Luka, with Sproston and Andy returning to the squad in their place. Both men made the starting XI as Scott and Tim opted to change the formation that had seen the side win 4 straight league games- a 4-1-3-2 was deployed-with Stu brought into an unchanged defence, with Sproston and Si brought into the midfield and Andy up top with Tim.

Redolence started well, Andy charging down a kick from the Swan keeper immediately putting swan on the back foot. With a heavy physical presence up top Redolence looked to pin their opponents back- often with 4 players continually in the opposing half. This paid dividends in the early running’s, Swan were keeping 6 men back at all times giving a narrow and direct Redolence plenty of ball. Redolence took the lead deservedly. A corner was cleared and recycled well back to Jonesy, whose cross was met by Sproston at the near post – (1-0 Sproston. 15 mins. Assist Jeynes). Swan were shaken, and weren’t in the game, and it was playing into Redolence’s hands as they dominated. The game was being played very narrow, with Redolence effectively playing without wingers, and the game was physical in the middle- Jonesy being forced off briefly after a heavy tackle led to Lewis going on out on the right. Redolence were commanding, but didn’t create further clear chances. Swan, realising they were struggling, grew back into the game started to respond- with their midfield collectively pushing up, and their strikers playing in between any gaps, they suddenly started to get more control of the game. A series of half chances fell their way, and Redolence were thankful to Jon, the linesmans flag, and some last ditch defending for keeping them in the game.

With Swan in the ascendancy the situation had changed- Ant was outnumbered in the middle and the strikers were not getting any ball, Swan looked likely to score next. Scott responding by bringing woody on for Andy to help Ant out in the middle, and reverting back to 4-2-3-1. The ship briefly steadied, with neither side creating anything of note before half time, despite Swan’s continual pressure on the Redolence goal.

HT: 0-1

Anyone’s game in the second half, but Swan certainly finished the half the more likely of the two sides. Changes were rung at half time; Si dropped to left back, Jonesy was back on for Max, and Ant – who anchored the midfield tirelessly in the first half- made way for Matty to play in CDM with Woody. The second half started how the first ended. Swan, brimming with confidence, were committing men with intent and causing issues for Redolence. They used pace to get wide/ behind the back 4 and it was backs-to the wall defending from Redolence to keep them at bay- defensively Redolence stood up well to the task, but were struggling in the conditions to clear their lines. When they did manage to clear, Swan were quick to win the ball back- the ball wasn’t sticking anywhere and the pressure mounted. Jon made a couple of great saves to frustrate swan, but the pressure eventually told in controversial circumstances- Swan’s winger went shoulder to shoulder with Jord in the box, and came off worst, and the ref decided it was a foul and blew for a penalty. It was a soft one, and was converted well by Swan’s striker. (GOAL SWAN 1-1 60 mins). At 1-1 the game became an end to end affair, Lewis forcing a save from the keeper after a smart run and Andy drew another save from a header off a Crouchy free kick. Swan though were a continual threat- their full backs giving them a wide threat and they often got in behind the redolence back line, and that was how they took the lead. A ball over the top was met by Swans striker, Swan had committed men forward and had men at the back post, a fantastic cross found a man at the edge of the box who wasn’t closed down quick enough, but he still finished well to give Swan the lead (GOAL SWAN 2-1 75 mins). A disappointing goal as Swan’s attacking threat was left unmarked as Swan committed men and dragged Redolence out of position.

With 15 minutes to go Redolence went more attacking again to try to get an equaliser, but Swan were well-organised and constantly got bodies in the way, holding off the physical threat of Andy well. Jonesy and Andy both came close, hitting over with half chances in the Swan area, but redolence could not forge that one great chance they needed, and were left to experience another cup heartache.

FT: 2-1

Undoubtedly a great game for a neutral to watch. An end-to-end game with two evenly matched teams who both had chances to win on the day. Swan though were perhaps deserved winners - they were far more effective when in possession, took their chances and were crucially far more organised off the ball than Redolence were. A disappointing result for Redolence that leaves the management with a lot to think on. The attacking strategy was bold, but short lived, and ultimately the structure and organisation of the team, such a strength in the previous weeks victories, suffered and was absent for much of the game. The midfield in particular struggled throughout the 90 minutes, which affected defence and attack alike. In patches Redolence looked great, but equally had periods where they resembled the struggling side of earlier in the season.

There will be disappointment amongst the side, but this does not mark the end of Redolence’s hopes of silverware this season- they still have 2 cups to compete for as well as a competitive league to make their mark in. This result needs be learned from, and the experience will help Redolence the next time they get to a semi-final- there will be a next time if the lads continue to work on it and perform to the best of their abilities in the coming weeks.