Extra time heartbreak for Leicester Road U18s
HINCKLEY’S Leicester Road FC U18s can consider themselves unfortunate not to be named county champions after a hard fought final against a defensively resolute Heather St John’s U18s.
They finally succumbed 5-3 after extra time in the Leicestershire Midweek Floodlit County Cup – held at Holmes Park in Leicester, the home of the Leicestershire FA – in what was a pulsating final that constantly ebbed and flowed.
It was a match which consisted of two different strategies - LRFC playing their attractive, expansive posses- sion football which had seen them have much success this year, whilst Heather were content to hit on the counter attack.
Heather’s tactic worked wonders early on as they took the lead within the first 15 minutes with a quick break and a long ball over the top coupled with a decisive finish, leaving Leicester Road with work to do.
The Roaders dug in deep and from then on dominated possession whilst carving out multiple chances with great combinations down the right hand side between George Ward, Harry Boorman and Will Groocock - with Heather fortunate to still have a 1-0 lead at half time.
The second half began in similar fashion and a dominant performance from Leicester Road continued. A breakthrough came within 10 minutes of the restart when Ward climbed above all at the far post and a strong header nestled in the corner to draw LRFC level.
However, as Leicester Road looked to add to their equaliser, within two minutes another quick counter attack from Heather resulted in a second goal incredibly similar to the first.
LRFC didn’t let it faze them and as their expansive attractive football continued, more chances were created. Three shots were dragged just wide of the far post from the right side and it looked like it was never going to come until Niall Del Gesso finished calmly at the near post from the edge of the box to send the game to 2-2 with 10 mins left to play.
Heather were holding on now and in stoppage time an incredible save from their keeper prevented Leicester Road from nicking it at the death - and it sent the game into extra time.
As the game restarted, legs were tired and the play was stop start with reoccur- ring injuries. Leicester Road were struggling to keep up the intensity that had seen them fight back twice and deserve to win the game in normal time really – and Heather again caught out the Hinckley side’s defence with two quick goals for a 4-2 scoreline that gave LRFC a mountain to climb.
A firm header from Ben Humphreys gave a glimmer of hope in the second half of extra time, but a breakaway fifth from Heather after the Roaders pushed higher up the pitch trying to take it to penalties, finally broke Hinckley hearts and sent the cup home to Heather.