Quedgeley were undone in the final minutes of this tough semi-final at home to Wotton.

The game was a very tense affair with the first half being very even, neither team stretched their opponents and Quedgeley struggled to create any opportunities with the wind against them. Chris Rigby had the chance of the half for the home side shooting wide from a Luke Groves cross. However incidents did occur up the other end, Wotton took the lead towards the end of the half, Quedgeley switched off from a free kick which somehow found its way through a crowd of players and bundled in over the line.

With the half time score 0 – 1, Quedgeley were satisfied as it was a tough half against the wind, and they began the second half with a lot more freedom. Wanderers were dominating possession but just lacked a cutting edge. But once again it was Wotton who cut through and Quedgeley conceded a penalty on the 60th Minute mark.

Stand in goalkeeper Alex McCatty rose to the occasion and made a great save from the striker’s spot kick to keep Wanderers in the game. And this gave the home side a big lift. Wotton began to sit deeper and deeper as Quedgeley pressed forward and the home side soon got their reward. A contender for goal of the season, a ball cleared to outside the box where Chris Rigby lined up a shot on the volley which flew through the air and over the goalkeeper which he could do nothing about.

A great goal to mark the occasion and Quedgeley carried on creating from here onwards; both Rigby and Chris Gooch had shots straight at the goalkeeper from good positions and Jordan Rouse had a header saved late on. Wanderers also had a stonewall penalty turned down after a blatant handball in the box and it just felt like the game was going to go to penalties with Wotton holding on. The Referee blew for full time but as both teams began to shake hands, realised there was still 5 minutes to play so the game went on.

And Wotton hit Quedgeley with a late goal to win the game. A long ball beat the defence and the striker was on hand to shoot into the corner to shatter the hearts of the Quedgeley players.

Overall it was good footballing performance, Queggeley played good football considering the pressure of the situation, but once again got punished for not taking their chances. And they must now lift their heads up and get back to basics ready for the County Cup Semi-final in 2 weeks’ time verses Huntley.

MOTM: Alex McCatty

Team:

GK – A. McCatty
LB – T. Hughes
CB – J. Lawes
CB – L. Kay
RB – T. Mayo
RM – C. Rigby
CM – P. Bull
CM – J. Rouse
LM – L. Groves
ST – D. Hankins
ST – C. Gooch

Subs

W. Park (Rigby 70’)