FC Magudas 0 W.I.S.E 1
The WISE continued their amazing unbeaten-run with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Magudas, to book themselves a place in the cup final in May.
On an unusually warm evening, we travelled out to St Médard-en-Jalles to take on Magudas FC at their ground, which strangely felt smaller than the ones I've played on before... this time though I did not have a pond in my six-yard box! We started with a 3-5-2 formation instead of our usual 4-4-2, which meant that by crowding the midfield, their only source of attack came from long balls over the defence, which I was able to clear up with ease.
At the other end, we had a few chances to score ourselves, including one great chance which fell to Simon, who despite beating the defender for pace was unable to lift the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. It was goalless at the break, but early on in the second half, we got the goal we were looking for (and deserved), with Pieric slotting the ball home across the goalkeeper to complete an excellent flowing move from the WISE.
With a goal lead, and about half an hour to go it was now my job to make sure we held on to this lead; which is more than can be said for my attempt at catching a long hoof into the air, which I managed to mis-time my jump for and shoulder the ball away to safety! From then on I was much more careful when collecting the ball, and had to catch the ball at head height shortly afterwards from a Beckham-esque free kick.
Heading into the match I was still hesitant when it came to coming out to collect corners and crosses as I'm not the tallest goalkeeper and am often overshadowed by the opposition attackers. But I guess it's just a confidence thing as shortly after saving the free-kick I came out to collect a cross from the left hand side at neck height and then from a cross from the other side.
We had a left-of a bit later when one cross beat my defenders head and was met by the head of the attacker, who somehow missed the target when it would have been easier to score. It wasn't all Magudas though, we still created chances and had the crossbar been a little higher, a 40 yard screamer from Tom would have settled the match in spectacular style.
However, with little time left, Magudas pushed more men forward and I had my own set of "fans" arrive behind my goal. Five or six (didn't really pay much attention) teenagers parked their scooters up behind my goal, lit up and started chanting insults and joking around. This was to be a real test of my concentration in the final stages of a match! I have conceded stupid goals late on in the past, but this time I was determined not to, and this time I did not. This was largely thanks to a save my made, one of the best I think I have made in a WISE shirt.
A cross came in from the left hand side, beat the defenders and headed towards an unmarked forward at the back post. With my confidence high, I must have thought that I could have caught it as I charged off my line with arms in the air. The ball reached the attacker before I had got their though, but his header came straight at my head and I just remember putting my hands up to protect my face, but I managed to push the ball away and then rush to collect it before it left my penalty area.
A hoofed clearance up field and then a small period of possession play was all that was left and the final whistle was blown. The WISE had held on to the win and we are now in the final of the cup! The date for the final is apparently the 13th May but this may have to change as half the team is not in France! I myself am in London, but hopefully a date can be finalised soon so that the others and I can compete in our first cup final! Allez les WISE!
My competitive record (to date) [friendlies in (red)]:
Played 11 (1) - Won 7 - Drawn 2 - Lost 2 (1) - Goals conceded 13 (2) - Clean sheets 3
Labels: WISE
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