GTFC Youth took on Division I highflyers Leicester Bharat at a wet Hinckley Academy in the First Round of the U13 Chairman’s Cup on Sunday. The two teams had played each other a number of times of the previous three seasons; Bharat ran away with the U12 Division 10 title last season and had started with two wins from two this season, so we knew we were the definite underdogs going into the tie.

Freddie had to pull out with an injury on the morning of the game, but fortunately the U12 Colts game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, which allowed us to call in the dual registered Owen (Boof) to cover in the centre of defence. Zach and Jack returned to the team whilst Lewis came back into the squad on the bench.

With no referee allocated, the writer took the whistle, and immediately Bharat were on the attack, forcing a succession of early corners. These were dealt with well by the GTFC defence, but eventually Bharat opened the scoring. To be honest, I have little recollection of any of the three Bharat goals in the first half, despite being the man in the middle, but can say that their attacking play was causing a lot of problems. One thing for us to look at in the future is when one our defenders goes in to attempt to tackle, we need to cover that defender. Too often we saw one missed tackle and the Bharat attacker through on goal.

Despite saying this, I do have to pick out Ted’s handling in goal, which was excellent, as was a one handed save when going in the wrong direction, whilst Jack made numerous headed clearances during the half.

3-0 to Bharat at Half Time.

The Second Half saw GTFC kick down the hill and immediately we were on the attack, substitute Lewis regularly taking two or three defenders with him down the left hand side. A corner was won and, from a half clearance, Max hit a first time long range effort which went over everybody and past the Bharat keeper to reduce the deficit. A great way to score your first goal for the Club!

Two minutes later Jack nearly scored his first goal, when his long range effort was on target from slightly further out, but this time the Bharat keeper just managed to put it around the post. Probably a good job, as the referee may have got into trouble for celebrating.
The game was now end to end and the pace of the GTFC attack was starting to cause problems. Leighton and Fin were now getting into the game, whilst the defence of Zach, Owen, Jack and Harry were coping well with the Bharat attack, number 10 and number 12 being their main threats. Harrison, Max and Keerthan put in a lot of effort and were now winning the midfield battle.

GTFC continued to attack and another corner was won. Again the clearance fell to Max, whose shot this time took a wicked deflection to leave the keeper flat footed and the ball in the back of the net. Bharat were now rattled and minute later, the equaliser came, good work down the right saw the ball come across the box to the unmarked Lewis on the left, who took his time to get the ball under control and then dispatched the ball into the far corner. 3-3 and scenes everywhere!!!!

The final 13 minutes saw Bharat dominate, with the defence under a lot of pressure. Ted made a number of quality saves, particularly a back peddling punch over the bar and a save with his right boot. Boof was excellent with a number of important blocks and all four defenders put their bodies on the line to keep the score level.

One moment does need mentioning; with five minutes to go, Zach and the Bharat number 10 were shoulder to shoulder in the box when the number 10 went down holding his face. An awful act of simulation and a blatant attempt to win a penalty.

Full Time 3-3, and a superb second half performance by GTFC.

Being a cup match, this meant a penalty shoot-out.

Bharat went first and missed their effort, Leighton then stepping up to take his penalty and giving GTFC the advantage. Bharat then scored their second, whilst GTFC missed theirs, to make it 1-1. The third penalty taker was substitute Dhru, who scored; a brilliant moment for a very popular member of the squad. Ted saved Bharat’s third to again give GTFC the advantage. However, GTFC missed their next two, whilst Bharat scored theirs, to put the higher ranked side through to the next round.

A disappointing way to end the match, but for the second week running GTFC had come back from a three goal half time deficit to draw the game at full time. All of the lads can be very proud of their performance, which was greatly appreciated by parents and coaches alike. Well done lads!

MJS 30.09.19