BU18 Vikings Reach Cup Semis on Shootouts

A series of byes and walkovers meant that the Vikings assembled for the first time proper in the quarter final stage of the U18 National knock out cup. Availability, at this age-group, always a challenge. 

A number of the players, are, in their own words and the words of Ron Burgundy, kind of a big deal. No such prima donna behaviour from Freddie and Ollie who were all-in showing their National League experience in combating some experienced Epsom midfielders.

Late cry offs continued though and a Surbiton squad of 12 was dwarfed by a vocal bench of five Epsom subs who got the goat of the umpires at one point. Epsom proved a good threat on the counter with some pacey players and smart use of the aerial.

The early chance fell to Epsom whose drag flicker went stick side which saw post man Sammie display his customary open-bat face-run-it down to third man.

U16 player Toby B answered the bat signal and was all-class at full back using the aerial to good effect. Geering has seemingly spent the last nine months "going-gym" as the youth say; his effortless spins now coupled with more upper body kg which saw him working a number of openings in the inside forward channels. 0-0 at the break. 

Epsom edged the start of the second half and opened the scoring with an open play goal after some decent 3D skill from the visitors. Epsom's keeper was on top form - and remained tight-lipped. Like players in a men's Surrey league 2nd XI cricket  game, the level of chat being dispensed was frequently disproportionate to the  skill-levels possessed by the sledger - just play hockey. 

In the end, a misfire from a Surbiton PC injection, saw Ollie go old school open trap and forehand upright hit - the ball bouncing off the left upright which saw Cowling follow up neatly - 1-1. 

A few chances for both teams; Freddie hitting a pure all-along the carpet tomahawk that look destined to score but was repelled by the in-form Epsom keeper. 

So, like the U18 girls beforehand, to shuffles. Shinny spent the first two shuffles practising his breast-stroke-in-the-shallow-end signature move but then figured it might make sense to stay on his feet a bit longer. Good work from the SHC takers - although Kilkenny at one point, having travelled so wide to the left hand side in his shuffle looked like he was popping home to East Molesely - thankfully a neat spin and finish from the tightest of angles. Player 4 from Epsom, having played a strong 70 minutes, had his shuffle saved which left Balls junior junior to show his older brothers how's it done - calmly slotted.

A semi final on Sunday 2nd Feb, we think, against either Trojans or Hampstead and Westminster up next.