Woodville Reserves 7 - 7 Repton Red Lion (Woodville Reserves win 4-3 on penatlies) [8 Sep @ 12:20pm]

President's Cup Round 1

After a strong pre-season it was realistic for the reserves to believe that they had a chance of putting on a show this morning, but what unfolded on Goseley Park was galaxies from what anybody had predicted. When all was said and done, the reserves had set up an apparent clash against the first team, but what happened in the two and a half hours between that moment and the first whistle will live long in the memory.

Red Lion, a division above the reserves, were never likely to roll over without a fight, so Zac Venning scoring the side’s first competitive goal with a thundering volley from inside the box was met by jubilation from all. Red Lion responded well and soon they were turning the screw, beating the reserves to balls and a slick brand of football in an attempt to respond.

An attack from the reserves drew a free kick 25 yards out, almost in line with the goalkeepers left hand post. Drew Pearson stepped up to put the ball into the top corner (to the shock of everyone in the side) and Woodville appeared to be cruising.

Before long tackles were flying in left, right and centre and it was to nobody’s surprise when the referee brought both of the team’s captains over for a word and asked for calm; he was never likely to get it. Red Lion hit back before long and with the score at 2-1 it seemed that the reserves may be in for some pressure. Although the ball seemed to refuse to stick to the feet of those trying to force the issue for the reserves, they soon found themselves 3-1 up after Russell Weller proved his worth in the side, heading the ball home with real confidence. 

As the half time whistle drew near the Red Lion grabbed a goal back after player/manager Damien Fowler felled an attacker in the box and the resulting penalty was dispatched nicely. Before the whistle for the break the pressure from the Red Lion told and the third division side were soon on level terms.

At the interval players, managers and onlookers alike concluded that there was more to come from the reserves and that this game was theirs for the taking, but they soon found themselves 4-3 down after the restart. As tensions rose in the game, the reserves were awarded a penalty after a fracas in the box from a set piece led to a Red Lion player being penalised. Zac Venning was composed as he stroked the ball home, only for the referee to claim he hadn’t blown his whistle. The second attempt from Venning was a carbon-copy of the first. 4-4. Heroic for the most part, Venning’s competitive nature became a little too much for the referee as he flew into a challenge on the opposing bye-line and found himself with his second booking of the game, and an early bath.

Despite Weller’s willingness to drop into midfield and attempt to make up the numbers, the numerical advantage threatened to be too much for the reserves as they found themselves 5-4 down after a sublime first touch and finish from one of the Red Lion strikers, a persistent thorn in the proverbial side all morning.

Woodville were certain they had an instantaneous leveller after Drew Pearson almost produced a replica of his first half effort, but heart-breakingly cannoned of the crossbar.

Needing something special, the reserves continued the passing of the ball, but it was a deep cross from Pearson, flicked on by temporary striker Nathan Wheatley (who played the game at centre half), that ended in the path of  halftime substitute Chris Eason who showed what was missed through his injury in pre-season as he used his pace to reel away from  defender and slot home. 5-5.

With the game entering its latter stages, extra-time beckoned, until a seemingly ineffective shot from the inside left channel squirmed through Ross Hollis’ arms and found it’s way through his legs, trickling over the goal line agonisingly slowly. Surely now at 6-5 with 3 minutes to play the reserves had nothing left to offer. They did.

As the reserve threw the kitchen sink, the fridge, the freezer and the wife at the Red Lion defence in a desperate attempt to claim the goal, the ball fell to skipper Aston Gallagher, long associated with the club, who accidentally/nonchalantly (delete depending on opinion) lofted the ball over an onrushing goalkeeper expecting a ball into the box, into the back of the net. Cue euphoria, and extra time.

The turn around was quick, and in honesty the first fifteen minutes of extra time were forgettable, bar one unbelievably close effort from a Red Lion player which had Woodville hearts in mouths.

As the second half wore on and it the game looked as if both sides would struggle to produce anymore magic. This was until a punt from Hollis was flicked by Weller into Eason’s path who lifted the ball over the goalkeeper in such a relaxed fashion, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was playing with his mates in a kick about.

In the dying embers of the game the reserves inevitably fell deeper and deeper, soaking up more and more pressure, until they were undone by a contentious goal which left Hollis in a heap on the floor, and defending all around questioning how the referee allowed a goal which he gave as an own goal by the young keeper, suggesting the goal had come as a result of a heavy challenge not worthy of legality.

It stood and seconds later the whistle blew for full time. Volunteers stood up to be counted and the 5 penalty takers were decided. Words aren’t needed for what happened next, so I’ll take you through it briefly

Ross Hollis - Goal
Red Lion 1 - Goal
Pete Wright - Goal
Red Lion 2 - Miss
Russell Weller - Miss
Red Lion 3 - Goal
Drew Pearson - Goal
Red Lion 4 - Goal
Chris Eason - Goal
Red Lion 5 - Miss

A true Sunday league classic was over and the new representative of Woodville were victorious - battered, shattered and in need a of lager.

By no means a classic to watch for the most part, but the game offered unpredictability, wonder-goals and a seemingly never ending shift in advantage. If this is anything to go by for the rest of the season, this side are well worth a watch, and an eye should be kept on the table. Resilient and passionate, they’ll be hard to be at this level.