Redolence race into semis

Report

This Sunday saw the second part of Redolences latest cup journey, a home tie vs VKL in the quarter final of the pat sanders cup- the clubs last route to cup glory this term. Previous matches vs VKL had been close, with Redolence just edging the game in their last league meeting. For the first time since the start of the season, the clubs massive squad showed up for Sunday- with 16 players in the squad with several still missing. Scott lined up with Jon in goal; Stu, Crouch, Ash and Keiran at the back; Jord, Luka, Jonesy and Lewis in midfield with Ry and Andy up top. With a healthy bench and spring like conditions, Scott wanted a high intensity level from the boys to ensure they don’t slip up and progress safely to the semis.

First half

The first 20 minutes was all about Ryan Sproston. The lads all started well, but Ry was the focal point of everything- on 5 mins he latched onto a loose ball in the area, out-muscled his man and hit an accurate drive across the keeper and in towards the far post. A great start (GOAL Redolence 1-0. Sproston 5 mins). VKL were rocked, and confidence amongst the lads raised immediately. Ry wasn’t done though; less than 10 minutes later he collected the ball in the right after some tidy build up, shrugged off his man and hit a strong drive from 25yards out that dipped into the Sunday league keepers ‘corridor of uncertainty’ (just under the crossbar). It was a great strike, one for the VKL keeper to forget. (GOAL Redolence 2-0. Sproston 13 mins). Both sides were shocked by how well Redolence had started, it was one-way traffic, and the goals continued. Sproston (shock) notching an incredible 20 minute hat-trick with another solid strike- his strength and undoubted shot quality was quite simply too much for VKL at this point (GOAL Redolence 3-0. Sproston 20mins)

Having fitted a whole games worth of action into 20 minutes, Ry was looking worn from his all-star cameo- so immediately made way for Tim, who was probably relieved at the chance to bolster his position at the top of the Redolence scoring charts. He got into the action straight away, scoring the fourth after VKL’s keeper hesitated and he beat him to the ball to header over him into an empty net. Good predatory instincts from Redolence’s current top scorer (GOAL Redolence 4-0. Lees 30 mins). VKL were stunned, there cup hopes were in tatters and Redolence were firmly in the ascendancy. With the game sewn up, and a bumper squad to play with, Scott made several changes (too many to note here). Chances continued to fall for Redolence, the closest being a Crouchy header off a corner that rebounded off the bar. VKL committed more men into midfield in attempt to get back into it, coupled with Redolences subs there was a few minutes where VKL got more into the game. The reality is though that Redolence were more than capable of keeping them at bay, VKL only mustering a couple of wayward shots from distance as a bonkers half of football drew to a close.

HT: 4-0

An outstanding 20 minutes from Ry had put some serious gloss on what had been a solid performance at this point- but the job wasn’t done yet. Redolence needed to start the half well and not give VKL a way back in. That’s what they did. An early corner was cleared out to Woody, who put it back in to Tim who layed off (via his back) to Ry who played a clever ball out to Jonesy- with time and space Jonesy played a well struck low drive across goal back to Ry who had a simple finish to put the game firmly to bed. A good team goal. (GOAL Redolence 5-0. Sproston, 55 mins ASSIST Jonesy). VKL shifted into a 3-5-2 formation, a last gasp attempt to influence proceedings, and they had more ball now as the intensity levels dropped- a succession of corners which saw one effort rebound off the bar. It was the most under- pressure Redolence had been but they stood up to it well, and still created chances- Sprost being a constant outlet with his physical presence- no one could shake him off the ball. He was to get another goal- a long kick from Jon made it Ry, who did the rest to fend off his man and finish smartly once more (GOAL Redolence 6-0. Sproston, 68 mins. ASSIST Jon!)

Redolence were comfortable, but were desperate to keep a rare clean sheet to finish off a perfect day. It wasn’t to be though. VKL grabbing a consolation after a miss-communication between Ash and Jon saw Ash nod the ball past the onrushing keeper to give the gambling VKL striker a tap in (GOAL VKL. 6-1. 75 mins). A disappointing one to conced, but ultimately of no influence on the result. The lads did however deserve a clean sheet, the Redolence back line had been decisive throughout but for one moment. There was time for Redolence to restore their 6 goal lead though, and that they did. Andy scoring a goal of massive personal importance- a smart nod at the back post that saw his goal drought finally come to an end (GOAL Redolence. Andy Seager. 85 mins. ASSIST ??).

FT: 7-1

Verdict

This week the heroics of Ry helped the boys advance through via an emphatic score line- a club record and a very satisfying performance. Ry was unplayable on the day, and took his chances with ruthless quality, and that gave the whole team a lift- it’s a lot easier for every department of the team to perform when we looked so sharp and productive going forward- VKL simply couldn’t handle it. No one in the 16 man squad had a bad game, which is really positive. Scott had to do a lot of substitutions to give people game time- no outfield player outside of the CB’s got more than an hour on the pitch, but the team didn’t suffer for it. Scott has a particularly challenging problem for the coming weeks- with a jumbo squad where everyone has contributed well he’ll need to keep making difficult selection choices. It’s up to the lads now to keep making those choices difficult for him…starting with a league match vs Thomas Brothers next week.

FT SCC Redolence 7 - 1 VKL
89 SCC Redolence 7 - 1 VKL (A.Seager, assist Sproston)
75 SCC Redolence 6 - 1 VKL (assist Holdstock)
68 SCC Redolence 6 - 0 VKL (Sproston, assist Davis)
55 SCC Redolence 5 - 0 VKL (Sproston, assist Jeynes)
HT SCC Redolence 4 - 0 VKL
30 SCC Redolence 4 - 0 VKL (Lees, assist J.Price)
20 SCC Redolence 3 - 0 VKL (Sproston)
13 SCC Redolence 2 - 0 VKL (Sproston)
05 SCC Redolence 1 - 0 VKL (Sproston)
KO SCC Redolence 0 - 0 VKL