The Easter schedule was a mixed affair for the club, with a win, a draw and only a 3rd loss of the season.
March: Our final game in March saw the first in our double header against Huddersfield, the league leaders for a long time this season. We had replaced them at the top only a couple weeks previous so this was an extremely important game for both clubs eyeing promotion and possible the YCFL Division 2 title. We got off to the perfect start with 2 very early goals from Nick and then Jonny. Another goal in the first half from Alex gave has a commanding 3 goal advantage at the break. A forced substitution at half-time with our captain Dave having to come off injured meant Stuart Scougall came off the bench to play at the back. A dominant display from him saw he score to great headed goals from corners and be awarded man of the match from the opposition. A late goal from Ali rounded off a resounding win, finishing 6-0.
April: The following Saturday we were up against Huddersfield again, this time at their ground. With a few forced changes to the side it was a much less characteristic performance from the team, but nonetheless we found ourselves 2-0 up mid way through the first half, thanks to great goal from Scott, volleying in a superb cross from Ivan, and another well taken goal from Alex. The first half was marred however from a poor refereeing decision that allowed Huddersfield back into the match through a penalty that both teams were shocked at the decision. A second goal for home team game through an excellent corner that was impossible to defend and found its way into the back of our net. After the break it was a fiercely contested game, and Huddersfield then took the lead, again from a dubious decision by the ref, awarding a goal that appeared offside. Despite this the team rallied together, and even despite the manager being forced into a 20 appearance at the end due to an injury, the team found a late equaliser through an exceptional goal from Scott, and the game finishing 3-3.
The following week it was the YCFL Cup quarter-final in the much heralded clash of the Gateways. This was the first encounter for us against one of the top teams in the YCFL, current second in the Premier Division – FC Gateway. With the support of a good home crowd behind us the team put in a very good performance, but we undone by a couple of decisive breaks by the opposition. In a game where we completely dominated for the first 20 minutes, by the end of the first half we found ourselves 2 goals down, and despite the teams best efforts in the 2nd half, we were prevented from scoring for the first time this season. In only our 3rd loss of the season, and 2 of those in the cup to the current top 2 in the Premier Division, the players can hold their heads high knowing that we gave the cup our best efforts this year, and did extremely well to progress to the quarter-finals, and give such a good account of ourselves.
Now all our attention turns to the final 3 games of the season. We currently sit top of Division 2 on 30 points, with a very healthy +46 goal difference, 19 goals better off than Sowerby Bridge, who are 3 points behind us in the table, with a game in hand. What that means is, if we win all 3 games we are near enough guaranteed the title, unless Sowerby win all their games remaining, scoring far beyond what would seem likely or possible. More immediate in our thinking is that a win this Saturday against Mowbray Community Church will go a long way to securing the club promotion. If we win and the results go our way in the games between Sowerby Bridge v Unity in Mission and St. Pauls v Huddersfield then promotion is near enough guaranteed due to superior goal difference. If we however do not pick up a win this weekend, then Huddersfield, Unity in Mission and St. Pauls all could potentially catch us, as well as Sowerby Bridge. So with 3 games left to play, we have a lot left to play for, with promotion and the title within our grasp.
Our final 3 games:
Saturday 20thApril – Mowbray Community Church (Home)
Saturday 27thApril – New North Road (away)
Wednesday 1st May –Mowbray Community Church (away)
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