GU16 Calypsos Miss Out on SF After Shootouts

A rain swept East Grinstead saw an eagerly awaited match for a semi-final place of the T2 Cup. With so much at stake, the two sides started the game cagey but were poking and probing to seek out advantages over the opposition. Calypsos, in green, made the most of the pressing and Henkes struck the post twice after being put in by some fluid and creative midfield plays that cut through the EG central channel in the first three minutes. The home side had to thank the post for the third time after Calypsos hit the same base from the resultant short corner. The Greens’ dominance was very much evident as EG was pinned back into their half for the remaining quarter.

The Greens also made better use of the width of the pitch than EG with a number of overlap runs and incisive passes. Bryer picked up one of passes from Beumer who had been industrious all afternoon. In turn, Bryer’s cut from the right side of pitch opened up the space in the middle of D for Henkes to strike emphatically past the keeper in the second quarter.  Surbiton’s advantage unfortunately did not last long with the home side scoring an equalizer shortly after the re-start, with the ball rolling softly across the line after a goal mouth scramble.

Q3 had a similar feel with Calypsos’ high presses and East Grinstead’s defensive zonal plays. The pressure took its toll as the home side conceded a number of short corners. The Greens had a variety of offensive set plays, one of which saw Henkes turned provider to Moffat’s near post slap in.

A lack of concentration saw the Greens concede their advantage again within minutes. EG managed to turn a seemingly lost ball into opportunity and the goal with the break of their own. That was significant not only in levelling the score but for the first time, the back line of the home side moved forward more and started pushing back Calypsos’ presses.

Q4 went quickly with the idea of shoot out to settle this match became reality as the spectators, coaches and players held their breath for the final whistle. For some reason, a three-player shuffle competition (instead of the customary five) was agreed upon. EG took their turn first and failed to score after Lamb made it difficult by forcing the striker away from the goal. Beumer stepped up first for the Greens’, tracking a similar path to EG, but was unable to place the shot at goal as she ran out of time and space with the angle becoming increasingly acute.

The home side scored with the second shuffle before Henkes took her turn in order to turn the tie to our favour. Henkes drew the keeper away from goal and struck across as the space opened up. All eyes were on the trajectory of the ball but the powerful hit sadly struck the same base of the post for the third time in the match. So it was not meant to be as EG duly scored their attempt and sealed the tie. As many witness in so many sporting events, elite or not, with such a thin margin of victory, emotion naturally ran high on both sides – joy and jubilation for the home side, with tears and consolation for the away team.

It is bewildering to see Calypsos on a losing side with such a dominance and so many chances to wrap up this match. The girls have done us parents proud with a strong cup run (after five rounds of matches). As one of the group winners of T2 League, they have to move on, re-group and prepare for the play-off on March 22nd. If history is a guide, there is a consistency in the performance and a trophy to be won. Commiseration on the cup exit but best of luck in the play offs.

Scorer: Henkes, Moffatt

Result: 0-0 (Q1) 1-1 (Q2) 1-1 (Q3) 0-0 (Q4), 0-2 (after penalty shootouts)