Predators Through To FA Cup Final

04 Mar 2012

Pocklington Predators U14s	10
Aviva U14s	2

 

On an afternoon that a long gone winter seemed to make an untimely reappearance, the
Pocklington Predators showed, in no uncertain terms, just who was going book their place the York
City & District Association Football Minor League final.

As the sleet and snow lashed the pitch, Pocklington took first blood in the opening minutes with shot
from Rob Cooney from 25 yards out, beating the keeper. He repeated this again several minutes
later, virtually verbatim. By half time, Pocklington were 4 – nil up, with Rob having notched his
hattrick and Ben Potter, ever present and pressing the Osbaldwick defence, found the back of the
net from a deep cross from Nathan Smith.

Despite the goal difference, Osbaldwick didn’t let their heads drop and pushed Pocklington to their
limits. This commitment eventually ended with a penalty to Pocklington as Jamie Harvey was
brought down in the goal area. The penalty was dispatched quickly and effectively by Nathan ‘Salty’
Saltmer, increasing the home-side’s lead to 5.

Perhaps the unluckiest Predator on the day was Nathan Smith who managed a resounding 4 shots
on goal but managed to hit the post twice and found two unwanted deflections.

Osbaldwick’s tenacity, however, was rewarded with a quick flourish that found the chink in the
Predators defence to take the score up to 6 – 1, with Rob having scalped yet another net. Now
buoyed by their goal, Osbaldwick stretched themselves to extremes. Sometimes this proved too
much as Pocklington were awarded another penalty, this time taken by the sure foot of Oli Hughes,
popping it into the top right corner, leaving the keeper with no opportunity of a save.

In a startling turn for the books, Osbaldwick took the ball and scythed through the Pocklington
defence to gain their second, but this display of talent was overwhelmed by the strength and depth
of the Predators side.

The predator’s teamwork has definitely characterised their play this season, and the supporting
build-up allowed Jamie Harvey to the take the next, followed on by a squared ball from Nathan
Smith to Ed Borrie, taking the final score to 10 – 2 to the Pocklington Predators, taking them through
to the final on the 9th May against Wigginton Grasshoppers at Bootham Crescent in York. The
Pocklington Predators are sponsored by Footloose.

Kaine Varley

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Category: Under 14 Boys

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