Ensinger 4-4 Chandlers Ford Youth, (CFY win 6-4 AET)
Hampshire Cup 2nd Round – 11th October 2008
Line up: Kane Kellaway, Liam Godfrey, David Kilcoyne, Josh Harrigan ©, Michael Sawbridge, David Bromhead, Zak Pickett, Ahmed Sfagsi, Tom Ashton, Michael Wall, Jozef Montigue.
Subs: Kelvin Bagot, Ryan Chinn, Alex Evens, Miles Hodge
Chandlers Ford came back from two behind, and even then nearly went out of this Hampshire Cup match, but an inspired performance in front of goal from Michael Wall saw the striker rescue the tie once more with a late goal to force extra time. The whole team did themselves proud and gave their all to ensure victory would be theirs and finally Ford took the lead before finding themselves two goals to the good. With the score at 6-4 at the end of the first half in extra time, Ensinger had forfeited playing the second half and it was Ford who sailed through in the end with a wonderful, battling display.
The game started off badly for CFY as Ensinger went ahead early on. Kane Kellaway came a long way out of goal to try and clear the ball on the left hand side towards the corner flag, but the ball ended up right at the feet of an opponent who clipped the ball towards the empty goal and into the net.
It wasn't long however before Ford had a goal of their own to celebrate. The ball came back out to Tom Ashton from a corner kick, and in true style the midfielder scored with a wonderful strike that flew in off the under side of the cross bar.
Midway through the half, Ensinger went ahead as a cross from the right came in and Ford had allowed a striker a free header in front of goal that left Kane no chance.
CFY had chances of their own with Michael Wall coming closest as Jozef Montigue rolled the ball across for him to clip towards goal, the ball bouncing off of the post so unluckily and rolling away to safety.
HALF TIME: Ensinger 2-1 CFY
At the break Richard rung the changes bringing Miles Hodge and Ryan Chinn in as the centre forwards to replace both Montigue and Wall, in the hope that the pair would stop their bickering and come back stronger when brought back on.
Alex Evens also came on for David Bromhead down the right, and the final substitution saw Kane make way for Kelvin in goal.
The hosts helped themselves to a third goal on the counter attack, as the Ensinger forward broke the offside trap peeling off the shoulder of Liam Godfrey where he then ran through to the helpless Kelvin and lifted the ball over his head and into the goal.
Realising the need to change things around, Ford went to a highly attacking formation leaving just three at the back – Josh, David and Alex, and pushing further men forward including Michael Sawbridge who moved up front.
Both teams were reduced to ten men in an incident similar to that of the Warsash game a few weeks back, which saw David Smith sent off for retaliation. Today, it was Michael Sawbridge who was provoked by a head butt, which led to an instinctive reaction as both players tussled before being given their marching orders.
Adjusting better to the unforeseen circumstances, Ford began to play the better football and camp inside the Ensinger half for large periods of play.
A togetherness, along with a determination to get back into the game shone through from the visitors who gave their all for the cause and this is what sparked the come back.
Michael Wall continued his rich vein of form and took every chance that came his way showing clinical finishing.
After his first two goals had incredibly brought the scores level at 3-3, Ford were caught short at the back as they pressed for the winner in normal time.
A foul at one end of the field was not picked up on by the referee, which allowed play to continue as Ensinger worked the ball forward at great pace. Kelvin was left unprotected as the attack came his way and Ensinger were now 4-3 up.
It looked as though this goal would have killed off any chance surely, of Ford saving the game and that all their hard work would come undone.
Thankfully, this was not the case and Michael Wall came to the rescue once more with his hat trick goal. A great effort from the forward who had turned the game around with three goals in a blistering ten minutes. The last being the most important of all in the nick of time to keep the tie alive for CFY and force extra time.
FULL TIME: Ensinger 4-4 CFY
From here on there was only going to be one winner.
Ford now wanted it so much more than their opponents and went all out attack in search of the win, playing some excellent football.
Tom Ashton, as usual dominated the midfield and came ever so close to his second goal of the game with a fantastic run from deep that took him past a number of defenders in the process before thumping a brilliant effort so unfortunately against the wood work.
The defence, since switching to three at the back were faultless with Josh, David Kilcoyne and Alex Evens in particular who shone playing out of position with a terrific display.
Meanwhile, Ahmed Sfagsi the unsung hero continued to play out of his skin winning everything in the middle of the park and breaking up the play to win back possession whenever needed.
The team spirit was high and the mental attitude was right as everyone put in a shift for the team.
This paid off with Jozef Montigue getting the goal that put Ford ahead for the first time in the game. Putting pressure on the back line, Joe shrugged off a defender before sliding in ahead of the keeper and putting the ball through his legs. The willingness to get to the ball first, ahead of the goalkeeper was crucial and worked to great effect.
There was no stopping the Blues when CFY began to pull away with Michael Wall bagging an incredible fourth goal. Combining well with his strike partner, Joe won the ball on the right before feeding it through for the incredibly cool finisher, Michael to bring the ball into the area and blast past the keeper with great power, to cap a fantastic half.
At the break, Ensinger's manager decided enough was enough and forfeited the second half and it was Chandlers Ford who deservedly went through.
They may well have gone on to win by many more because they were playing so well, but in the end Ford were more than happy to settle for the 6-4 victory and can all be very proud of their achievements once again.
After Extra Time: Ensinger 4-6 CFY
Man of the match: Ahmed Sfagsi
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