Cup Final Here We Come

Big day for Brandon's football team today as they were playing Hawkwell United in the Cup Semi-final. The first half the boys played outstanding and were by far the dominant team. But the ref seemed more aligned to the opposition and made some very dubious decisions including disallowing a goal from a free kick and not given a penalty to Academy for a clear hand ball in the box.

The boys kept their composure though and finally got their first goal towards the end of the first half. The second half was much closer as Hawkwell really started to go for the equalizer and increased the tempo of the game as the clock ran down. The ref was getting worse and worse which resulted in a few of the Academy boys making comments (justified in my opinion) resulting in a red card and a sending off. So with them having the ref in their pocket and Academy down to 10 lads, it was suddenly a 12 Vs 10 game and late in the second half Hawkwell scored taking the tie to penalties.

The penalty shoot out was quality with some great strikes of the ball. But Miles managed to save their 5th and Digger put his one away taking Academy through to the Cup Final on May 14th with a 5-4 win on pens. Justice was served as Academy were y far the better team and more deserved of making the final.

What was great to see was how much it meant to the lads and the emotion that came flooding out when that 5th and final penalty went in. Brandon being one of the first to lead the charge over to Digger to have a team hug. Amazing.

And to top that Academy are still sitting nicely at the top of the league. Could they dream of doing the double? The Cup Final and the League on one season!!!

The moment the 5th penalty goes in and the team charge out to Digger for a team hug.

Getting tight at the top now with Rayleigh Boys breathing down Academy's neck with 1 game in hand.