Knock-Out Cup Semi-Final 04/04/09Hearts of Oak- 1
Pot Black F.C- 0
Match Overview- Pot Black were without doubt the underdogs entering this match against League Champs Hearts with the prize of playing at Crown Meadow in their first ever cup final.
Both side had players unavailable due to injury with L'Orange losing Paul Taylor, Jordan Wardrope and Steven Foulkes prior to kick off. Pot Black were sporting a 4-5-1 formation in order to counter act the home sides normal control of possession. This was in no means an attempt to sit everyone behind the ball and hold on until penalties, but a tactical move to frustrate and confine their opponents, which actually produced the desired affect.
Both sides had chances throughout the first half with Hearts going very close when an excellent header that was cleared of the line by Vinny Terry. With the score at a stalemate at the interval, Pot Black were delighted with the limited opportunities the home side had created in the first half.
Pot Black's Gav Hunt produced a Trojan performance, on his own up front as he chased and hassled relentlessly. The match appeared to swing in favour of one side then the other, time and again through the second 45 minutes as the visiting side's unity and team spirit was evident as every player in orange spilled blood, sweat, and tears for each other.
With only 8 minutes remaining and the end to end football proving truly entertaining for the large crowd watching on, cruelly P.B were punished for the smallest of errors when a slightly under hit pass lead to Adam Taylor slipping his marker and finding the bottom corner with a clinical finish.
With nothing left to loose, L'Orange through Darren Boyd and Adam Bird up front to bolster their cause, as on two occasions, the ball broke loose to Max Wall and Captain Boyd respectively, who were both denied by the keepers bravery, in a nail biting finish.
Referee Barry Atkins was excellent on the day, as was Hearts Manager/Linesman Bobby Beech who never got a thing wrong in my opinion.
Obviously the downcast mood of the lads in the dressing room was to be expected, and the result was even harder to swallow when we know, we worked so hard, played so well, but our glory has eluded us in this fixture once again. But we must remember to look at the bigger picture, 2 seasons ago we were beaten by Hearts 11-1, last season we were beaten 5-0, today we never a lost a battle anywhere on that pitch, but a solitary goal edged the victory, and that's all it was, but from where we have come from, to where we are now, nobody can deny that the gap is closing and we will chase them all the way!
G.H.Windows & Doors M.O.M- The whole team, we all know that we are part of something special on and off the pitch, but today it was clear to see for everyone watching on. We're not just another football team, we're a 'band of brothers' and that, some people will never understand!
