Predators Bow Out of League Cup

25 Mar 2012

Fulford U14s	2
Pocklington Predators U14s	4

 

On the first day of British Summer Time, a glorious sunny afternoon, the Pocklington Predators
exited the York City & District Association Football Minor League Cup tournament with a 3 – 1 defeat
at the hands of the Poppleton Tigers.

After a disputed quarter final match resulted in this rematch, both teams were eager for the clash. A
tentative start began with both teams trying to get the measure of the other, but first strike went to
the home side as a high lob cleared the Pocklington defence, leaving one on one with the keeper.
The second came from an unfortunate hand ball in a crowded goal mouth resulted in a red card,
sending off, and a penalty allowing Poppleton to stretch the gap to two goals to nil.

Now down to 10 men, Pocklington dug deep and gathered their resolve. While the ball contained a
good deal of bounce due to the hardening pitch, this didn’t prevent several fabulous plays by the
visitors, such as the ball Nathan Saltmer placed deep through Nathan Smith whose cross allowed
Rob Cooney to shoot from a volley. It was, however, the cross made by Joe Aconley that gave Ben
Potter his opportunity to simply flick it in in a sublime manoeuvre, closing the gap that Poppleton
had created.

After half time Pocklington again piled the pressure on, creating opportunities such as the ball
played down the wing from Stuart Wright found Joe Aconley, whose cross allowed Nathan Smith a
chance, but it was the Poppleton strategy of lifting the ball high over the Predators defence that
proved the more successful on the day, and provided Poppleton with another goal, increasing their
lead yet again.

As Pocklington continued their fight to the end, it was all Poppleton’s day, and, when the clock ran
out, the 3 – 1 victory secured them a place in the semi-finals.

Kaine Varley

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Category: Under 14 Boys

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