EXTRA TIME DRAMA SEES AFA CUP RUN OVER

After a week of rain and not-so-optimistic groundsmen, the 3s team were not expecting to be called to play on Saturday. But, at what must have been the last minute, their cup tie was deemed key to the club’s success and secured the only available field for Wandsworth Borough at Richardson Evans. As a result, football-mad no lifers and full-time clubmen Carl Nicholas and Tim Werger became last-minute additions from the 2s, to an already strong squad.

While the pitch was wet, the 3s had certainly seen worse (the previous week for example) and made an uncharacteristically strong start. Moving the ball easily around the edge of the opposition box, the oppo’s midfield had no real answer to the speed and movement of Rowson and Purdue on each flank and Masa’s dribbling all committing defenders and making space.

The quick start resulted in Billy Crow’s first shot in 3,000 minutes (need a stat check on this it might be longer), followed shortly by his third goal of the season in the 10th minute. Rowson’s tireless running at the defence culminating into a searching lob into the box, which Crow muscled from the keeper and dispatched like he’s been scoring daily.

Surprised at a frankly well-deserved lead, the team decided that 1-0 up within ten minutes could only mean a whitewash was on the cards. So naturally, strikers midfielders and even some defenders started queuing up for goals. Shots seemed to be flying in from anywhere and from anyone. I’m convinced even Harold tried his luck, despite being off at the time.

Unfortunately, this goose-like, telepathic, coordinated change in strategy did result in some neglect to our defence. And so, on the break, Old Parkonions equalised in the 25th minute.

This is what us masters of the dark arts call a blip, and it was time for some selfless player-management from the goalscorer. On comes Archie Small to replace Billy Crow, with hopefully a couple of knee slides in the back pocket to get us out of trouble. Fingers crossed last night's tipple hasn’t left him any worse for wear.

Another change shortly followed, with Harold coming on with instant impact. And I of course mean physical impact with some crunching tackles and emotional impact on their poor number 7, who got a little more than he bargained for with the cheeky ankle tap. I think I can speak for everyone on the pitch when I say I agree with Harold, that definitely will be the last time anyone tries that on the big man.

Once the drama had wrapped up, Rowson was back down the wing floating naughty balls into the box. Lee cops one on the head and it’s in the back of the net. Hoorah! Back in the lead and back to shooting from halfway. Let’s see if we can get some hummus on one boys, you don’t get points for over the post in this code.

Joey is not going to be happy about this. This is not the total football philosophy he has been drilling into the squad since rising to vice-captain in the summer, which is made very clear in the half-time chat. Undertaking his quiet but knowing role in the leadership of the 3s Lee spanks one over the bar in the 46th minute, from 40 yards out. In his defence, Harold told him to shoot and when that man says something to you on the football pitch, you can only obey.

The defence should be honoured during this period of play, Ali and Bench putting in a shift as CBs with Joey and Pytlos balancing attacking outlet and gallant defending in equal measure. Then Joey got steamrolled and things began to turn.

Missing the opportunity to put the game beyond doubt Old Parkonians were building in confidence and marched ominously towards an equaliser. It came in the 70th minute and extra time began to loom large for the tiring squad.

Let’s check in on Archie up-front who seems a little off the pace as we enter the final phase of the match, maybe he’s picked up a knock, who knows.

Werger comes back on to galvanise the attack, but Wandsworth cannot clinch a win within the 90 and we are forced into extra time.

An unfortunate error from Jake in goal early in the first period (he’s really been exemplary the entire match) meant Old Parkonians get an easy third.

Wandsworth continued to knock on the door but it’s locked to us this time, with one last chance that just couldn’t be finished with the final kick of the game. MOM was a tough consolation to what could have been a heroic equaliser in the final minute.

With that, it’s so long to the AFC cups, until next year. Wandsworth 3s can count themselves hard done by and we will no doubt finish the game when we have the chance next time.