Newbury Forest reach the Quarter Final of the Essex Sunday Premier Cup!

In the last 16 of the Essex Cup (Champions League) we came up against Daen Ingas. On a very wet day the game was not called off as we were playing in Danbury. If you didn’t know Danbury is at the highest point in Essex which means water is easily drained downwards off the pitch. In fact the pitch was in excellent condition and proved to be a major factor contributing towards a fantastic match and more importantly a confident performance from Newbury Forest.

The day started off with the top two goal scorers, Andy Saunders and Shaun Harris pulling out of the squad. However Watford’s game was cancelled which meant director of football, coach, general manger, public relations and any other position within a football club, John Hassan came to assist 1st team gaffer Bradley Gates.

Shockingly we lined up in a 4-3-3 formation. Graham was in goal with Alf at left back and Dean at right back. At the heart of the defence was the solid pairing of Nick and Kye. Gibbo and Jon G partnered up in midfield with Toch in front. The front three was made up with Jey Siva on the left, Dave on the right and JRB in the middle which left Scott and Will who had just come back from a career threatening injury on the bench.

The first half saw us shooting downhill but against a slight wind. Daen were fast out and in our faces as Newbury struggled to get out of their own half. Within 5 minutes Daen got their just rewards as their right wing back whipped in a great cross which was met with a bullet header, 1-0 down and we knew we were in for a game.

The goal helped us as we did not panic and began to play the way we know we can. The ball retention was superb, as we began to get on top and try and find an equaliser. Gibbo and Jon G began to dominate the middle which gave the team a solid foundation to build upon. With a little over 20 minutes played Jey Siva beat a player and let fire with a shot which was parried out for a corner. From the resulting corner Jon G played it short to Jey Siva and after tormenting the defender his left footed shot went straight into the bottom right corner. 1-1 and with our tails up we continued to attack. The game began to open up with both teams getting the ball down and exploiting the spaces left due to the attacking nature of both teams.

Just after the half hour mark good play by Dave and Gibbo compiled with grit and determination by Alfie saw Alfie himself attempting a “lob” to which the keeper again pulled off a smart save resulting in a corner. Jon G whipped the corner in, which Nick rose up to head towards goal and Toch volleyed in from 2 yards to score his 9th goal of the season from midfield making him joint second top goal scorer just in case you didn’t know. Also for the goal Nick pushed JRB out the way, resulting in speculation that Nick “followed” JRB’s run however that is purely speculation.

Newbury were 2-1 up and Daen had lost their star striker due to injury, yet both teams continued to attack in this real football sceptical. The half drew to an end when the referee dubiously awarded a free kick against Dave on the edge of Newbury’s area. The Daen striker then blasted the ball into the top right corner, 2-2 half time.

The half time team talk was positive from JH and Brad. They were pleased with the way we moved the ball and wanted more of the same. Our work rate and desire to win was phenomenal. The second half began and we continued to show the same desire. The defence stood strong and due to their quality of passing and decision making they began the attacks and gave match winners such as Jey and Gibbo space and time to play. We piled on pressure and created some good opportunities. JRB rose up well from a Dave cross only to head over. Jey Siva put Toch through but again the shot missed the target. Defensively we stood firm especially from some threatening free kick positions.

However for all our pressure Daen managed to get in front with 15 minutes to go. A couple of deflections in the box saw the ball fall to their strikers feet and  he finished with a low hard shot inside the near post, 3-2 to Daen. We continued to put on pressure with JRB and Jey Siva testing the keeper. Brad and JH made two quick changes bringing on Will and Scott for Jon G and Dave. Scott almost made a sudden impact when he forced the keeper to make a good save low to his right. Yet again for all pressure we failed to score and Daen again capitalised and went 4-2 up from a strike on the edge of the area.

4-2 down 5 minutes to go, most teams would concede defeat but not this Newbury team. In the 87th minute a great reverse ball by Jey Siva put JRB through on goal. His first touch was great to shift the ball to the side, and the second was even better as he sweetly lifted the ball over the keeper from the edge of the D. From the moment it left his foot you knew it was in, and so did he as he had already turned to run back to the centre circle, 4-3.

We then regained possession of the ball and went to find the equaliser. Good play by Jey and Scott on the left won us a throw adjacent to the penalty area. Kye came up to launch it into the box. As he threw it the ball slipped slightly so did not gain its normal height or pace but it ended up at Will’s feet. Jey and Gibbo were screaming for it at the edge of the area but to the amazement of everyone he executed a Cryuff turn, touched the ball out of his feet and with his left foot smashed the ball into the top right corner of the net, 4-4 simply breathtaking. As we shaped up for kick off, to motivate us he politely asked “who wants to win?” because he did!

Again we were quick to win the ball as Toch was fouled on the right hand side of the pitch. JRB made a great run out wide and Jey quickly put him through. A delayed one two between the two saw JRB cross the ball only for a defender to head clear to the edge of the area. The ball fell to Gibbo’s feet. Jey was out wide so the reverse ball was not on and Arsenal kicked off within the hour so Gibbo took responsibility and rifled the ball into the top right corner, 5-4, 90th minute, 3 goals in 3 minutes truly a remarkable moment in the lives of these fantastic footballers.

The drama was not yet over as Jey was penalised for a foul on the wide left touchline. The ball was sent in with pace but Newbury did great putting bodies in the way and clearing the ball. Final whistle 5-4.

The whole game was amazing from start to finish. Whether you were playing or even watching it the adrenaline was astounding. If Newbury continue to play like this then winning all three trophies is a real possibility.