Sandwich town fc vs fc inter westgate

match review written by fc inter westgate

Friday 17th May. The sun setting over Southwood Stadium. The stage was set for the TSFL Div 2 League Cup Final.

The squad arrived in high spirits knowing that if we played our own game and showed the right attitude there would be only one outcome. Following a rousing dressing room team talk by the gaffer, Boydey, the lads stepped onto the pitch and showed a real intensity during the first few minutes. Some probing play down the right flank eventually lead to our opener. Dan Draper sending one forward for the big man Dannt Harris to battle for. He managed to direct home a loose ball in pure Danny Harris fashion, up against 2 defenders and a the GK to make it 1-0 to Inter. However we knew we hadn’t started the way we wanted. Some poor passes through the middle invited some pressure from a positive Sandwich counter attack. Leading to a free header to level things up.

Up step Josh Merry. Biggest game of the season, biggest thighs in Sunday league. Of course he’s going to score a free kick, despite a lovely deflection taking it past the sprawling Sandwich GK…(It was definitely on target according to him). 2-1 to Inter at half time but still some work to do. The gaffer made his points clear at half time. We needed to step it up a gear. Unfortunately the second half saw tiredness grow and chances go begging. A change in tact saw Adam Topping and Tom Winch introduced, turning their fullbacks inside out for a while but to no avail. But with 10 minutes to go, a bouncing ball through the back line was dispatched calmly into the Westgate net from a lovely volley to level things up. With nothing else to show from either team in the closing minutes apart from Craig nearly decapitating his own player, we went to penalties.

The teams gathered on the half way line and each began their walks to the spot. Draper tucking away a tidy one top left. Dan Whiteouse calmly slotting one down the middle. Daryl Leitch decided to play rugby and went for a conversion, but we forgive him. Kray Baker stuck an absolutely delightful side footed effort top bins to really put the pressure on. However the the man, the myth, the legend. Stick a statue of him outside Lymington Road. Craig Collins. 2 penalty saves when it mattered most. Securing the clubs first piece of silverware in its 40 odd year history in Sunday League. Some unreal scenes as the flood lights were switched off and the boys celebrated getting their hands on the trophy after a toughly contested and hard fought victory. Despite a sub par performance compared to our own standards, Inter managed to get the job done when it came down to it.

A massive thank you to everyone who came down and supported the lads, as well as some huge appreciation for Mel Stanley, the unsung hero of Inter Westgate, thank you for another season of committing your Sunday mornings to help us out with everything you do! The boys now go into a well deserved break before gearing up for pre season, with the desire for more silverware stronger than ever.