League Match 18-04-09F.C Hearts- 1
Pot Black F.C- 3
Match Overview- The men in Orange knew that if they performed against F.C Hearts like they did against Oxford, there would be only one outcome... annihilation!
P.B were robbed of several first team players with Gary Boyd, Paul Taylor, Scott Reynolds, Steven Foulkes, and Neil Banks all unavailable with other squad players missing also, resulting in Danny McKinley filling the 3rd sub spot behind Jordan Wardrope back from a knock and returning Uni boy Tom Miles.
With so much still to play for in the league with Norton playing against an unpredictable Wrentham side, the Pot Black nerves were instantly dispelled when F.C took the lead within a minute after a slack start saw a strong Danny Rose clearance deflect luckily back into the stride of the F.C striker who powered his shot past a frustrated Kev Sherwood who got a strong hand to it.
At this point L'Orange realised that this was JUDGEMENT DAY. With the wind blowing strongly in their faces and the F.C forward line keeping the back line busy, the odds looked strongly stacked against them. But the visitors proved what teamwork was about and showed the character which has seen overcome adversity this season as the surprise package.
Max Wall and Gav Hunt lead by example throughout the match as their strength and commitment spread like wild fire amongst the P.B ranks, as in one voice, following an Adam Tantony corner, signalling with all their vengeance "I Believe" as the ball found the net.
Jordan Wardrope entered the battlefield for the injured Rob Cooper on the right after the squad reflected on a good first half with lots of chance despite being up against the elements. The visitors took on board comments from the side and came out of the blocks like a rabid dog as after a minute a fantastic Tantony cross saw Vinny Terry whip past the F.C centre half and place the ball home, temporarily stunning the home side, until to their rescue, despicably, came their linesman, who raised his flag after the celebrations had begun, I know that in the past I've had rants about suspect linesman but with some of our supporters in line and Vinny clearly running past the defender to reach the ball, it was the clearest example of cheating in the game I've seen for sometime, undermining his excellent sides hard work, disgusting!
Although their is a reason why you should never try to 'screw' a bear because he will roll you over and tear your heart out, and the P.B Grizzly did exactly that! Gav Hunt who has gone from strength to strength this season, used his bulk to ease off the challenge of the keeper before smashing his effort wide on the left between last man and post to the delight of his revitalised team mates, stirred by their earlier injustice.
Half chances came and went with Vinny Terry going extremely close, but it was Hunt again who finished the job when he burst into the box again cooly waiting for the keeper to commit before lifting the ball over him and into the net.
Nothing should be taken away from F.C Hearts who we know are an excellent side who never give up and the fact that we have done the double over them this year is absolutely fantastic, showing that maybe now we ourselves have changed from our old 'pretty but no guts' performances to the new 'never say die' Pot Black. That in itself is a credit to you all.
Goals- Gav Hunt x2, & O.G.
G.H.Windows & Doors M.O.M- Gav Hunt, with Gav and Max shinning brighter than anyone through their work rate and desire, the big striker edged it with two delightful finishes, and its a real shame that he didn't get the hat-trick he deserved, going so close on several occasions.
