VMFC 1 GFC Bournemouth 1 (Bournemouth win 4-3 on pens AET)

What a weekend lads. Truly i had a brilliant time and...we are playing at Leyton Orient in the final!

First? The weather. Well it was a beautiful day in the North West, the sun shining more than i have ever seen it in Manchester. I felt quietly confident as we drove towards Salford Sports Centre, navigating through the abandoned houses and shirtless chavs riding their bikes.
Oh maybe i should have gone back to the night out? As our hosts tried to encourage us to drink more and more in bars, only Danny Williams really seemed to go for it. In fact i think he was the only one who didnt make it back to the hotel...But then there were a lot of us out. Nev had people banging on his door asking for oral sex at 6am, Dan Smith was comfortably spooning Martin Hastings..there was a lot of love in the air.

With all the rumours going round about whether VMFC would play their first or second, we were told simply to keep our heads and play our own game. Clive dug out page 3 from yesterday's Sun to distract him while he gave his team talk and the team announced.
Returning journeyman Danny Willaims returned for his cup run and lucky mascot status and started up front with Wayne, George was moved to the left and Clive came in at right back to replace the injured Tony Roberts. Age for age.

We started like we wanted to be in the final and pretty much kept it up throughout the game. Wayne stunned Mancs by scoring our opening goal on 4 minutes when he collected Danny W's flick on and half volleyed in the corner of the net. A truly sensational strike and opening to the match which left Manchester stunned and retreating even further. We should have been further ahead as we pressed on, Wayne hitting the post from 8 inches out and Danny and George also going close.
As Manchester were pinned back they switched to 4-5-1 to pack their midfield and the game settled into more of a contest.
I couldnt see them scoring before half time as we looked solid at the back but Manchester proved me wrong as the equalised 3 minutes before the break. The ball was slipped through our defence and their no 2 (their best player throughout) slid the ball past Nev who had no chance.
Still at half time we were upbeat and knew we should be winning. We continued in the second half as Manchester retreated and we pressed for a winner but it didnt come and extra time had an air of inevitability.
Extra time was a procession of chances missed at the Manchester goal. I missed two glorius openings as did Danny Willaims. Even one of their players muttered that if we didnt win this then something was wrong. And then with 2 mins to go Martin Hastings came up with a Brazilian-esque overhead kick that flew towards the top corner. Until they headed off the line. And that was just about it and the dreaded penalties to come.
We've never lost a shootout in 11 a side and it would have been a travesty had we lost this one. Nev got us off to a good start but getting his feet to their first pen and Danny Williams secured the advantage with a kick that sneaked home. Our penalties there on were not fantastic but they found the back of the net as i scored and Wayne and Dan Smith also notched theirs. A trembling Jez wasnt needed as Manchester sent their final spot kick wide and we won 4-3 in the shootout. Cue scenes of carnage as players ran to embrace Nev...10th May, Leyton here we come!
A big thanks to everyone who played, supported, watched and coached. It was terrific lads and the club is proud of everyone
Martin's selection of Wayne up front makes this masterstroke an easy pick for man of the match this week. Stand up Wayne Barlow. You were exceptional and everyone i consulted agreed.
Also big mentions to Ben Craig and Martin H who were calm and assured at the back and gave us a base to attack on. In truth everyone gave their all and it was a cracking team performance, I just dont have time to mention everyone. Titans on Sunday in London. Back to the league..we still need 3 points to guarantee top flight football next season.
Stats below.

Team: Southall, Foley, Craig, Hastings, Bullen, Smith, Cudlipp, Imonopi, Paul, Barlow, Williams.
Subs Willemse, Taylor, Maxwell, McDonald.

Goal: Barlow 4

Pens
Williams 1-0
Cudlipp 2-1
Barlow 3-2
Smith 4-3