First half:
Grange Park Rovers Kick Off and straight from the start they are pressing the opposition. It pays off within a few minutes, Nathan Timmins tackled the defender and played Richard Colley through on goal who struck a low shot past the Keeper. The Opposition were rattled from the start, they played long balls over the top towards their strikers but the defense held out brilliantly. Grange Park kept the tempo up and kept pressing the oppositions back line. This payed off when we won a free kick on the edge of the area. Stephen Lacken stepped up to take it and drilled it underneath the wall and put it into the bottom corner well out of the keepers reach. Grange Park Rovers went into half time the leaders at 2-0 up.
Second Half:
Sparta Sutton started wel and penetrated the back line with a great ball through to their stricker who slotted it into the back of the net after going around Tom Flannery. Grange Park were on the back foot and took a while to get back into the game, and sparta sutton wre gaining momentum. The had consecutive corners and Grange Park failed to clear one enough away, there midfielder picked the ball up and crossed it back into the area towards the goalkeeper. Tom Flannery came for the ball and misjugded his timing; the ball ended up in the net from the cross. GPR knew they had to imprive to move onto the next round of the Challenge Cup. GPR had the ball in defence and passed it between themselves, the ball was played back to Nathan Timmins who mis controlled the ball allowing Sparta Sutton a run at goal, which they slotted into bottom corner past Tom. GRP's heads had dropped at this point and it took alot of Character to pick themseves up. They were attacking the opposition constantly towads the final 10 minutes. With 30 seconds of the half to go, and losing 3-2 grange park threw men forward when we had won a free kick deep on the right hand side. The ball played in by Stephen Lacken was on the keeper where Nathan Timmins managed to get to the ball and play it back across the 6 yard box with a dubious hand ball; to Rob Waugh for him to smash home the Equiliser! Dramatic end to the game!
Extra Time:
First Half:
Grange Park Rovers knew what they had to do, with no subs left everyone dug deep and fought every ball. Grange Park were awards a penalty after a ong ball forward towards the strikers. The referee gave the penaty for a pull on the striker, which was harsh, as nobody knew why he had gave the decision. GPR played well throughout a very difficult first half of extra time, the opposition were getting plenty of shots off and hit the woodwork on three occasions. GPR were holding on for dear life at this point, fortunatly the half time whistle blew just at Sparta Sutton were gaining their momentum.
Second Half:
Straight off the blocks Grange Park attacked the opposition all over the park, and the hasleing paid off when the ball was played through to Richard Colley who slotted it home for his second goal of the game. Sparta Sutton were shook, they began to play long ball after long ball, which GPR dealt with extremly well, some whole harted defending was needed during this period. As they were 5-3 down they began to throw people forward at every chance, leaving their defense vunerable. After a quick break away Kieran Basi found himself chasing a ball forward. Kieran did brilliantly by holding the ball waiting for reinforcments, he beat the first man, took it around a second man, and put the ball across the facce of the goal where Dean Wood's bursting run into the box paid off allowing him to hit it home, and finish off Sparta Sutton! Sparta Sutton were rattled and threw everything at Grange Park, they boys did magnificently in Extra Time b stopping everything that was thrown at them.
Final Score: 6-3
Today the players were outstanding and really showed that they are a team to be reckoned with by beating a estabised Division 2 side. Every single player dug deep when they needed too and never gave up at any point. Extremly proud of the boys today and hopefully we can take this sort of performance into every game.
