FREELAND BOW OUT IN CUP THRILLER

Garsington Res 5 - 2 Freeland Res

Freeland bowed out of the Clarendon Cup in a great Semi Final at the hands of Garsington Reserves. It was a story of missed chances for Freeland, as Garsington showed why there are yet to be defeated this season.

Despite the two division gap, the opening ten minutes it seemed like Freeland were the ones from Division One, out battling Garsington in every area of the pitch, and quickly smothering any danger. It was Freelands classy wing man Scroggs who could of opened the scoring when he found himself free, but he could only hit his shot high and wide.

Freelands other wingman, Crocker, then combined well with rude boy Paul Salter whose fierce shot was blocked by a Garsington defender. Completely against the run of play Garsington shocked Freeland by taking the lead with virtually their first shot on goal, when striker Sean Flaherty nipped in between Salkeld and keeper Leach to slot home. Freeland looked to bounce back immediately and continued to press forward, with Salters rapid pace constantly a threat to the Garsington back line.

"Freeland were forced into an early change when defender Salkeld limped off"

Midfield duo Calley and debutant Warren Vandenberg were excelling in their newly formed central midfield partnership. Also excelling in his new roll was Welsh under 21 international Gus Glastonbury, dominating most things in the middle of the park. Freeland were forced into an early change when defender Salkeld limped off with a reoccurrence of his ligament injury.

After a sustained amount of pressure Freeland were left dumbfounded when Garsington found themselves two goals to the good. Flaherty grabbing his second after club carthorse Simon Hole sliced his clearance into the air and the Garsington hitman pounced. It then got worse for Freeland when they lost winger Crocker to a knee injury.

Garsington and Flaherty could not believe their luck when they found themselves three goals up at the break, Flaherty with a first half hat trick.

After the break Freeland came out with a point to prove and they started to push for a much needed goal. It was all one way traffic and Freeland wasted a host of chances, even veteran defender Simon Stapleton found himself with a good opportunity, only to see his header well saved.

"which saw the defender see red"

Freeland were then handed a lifeline, when a goal mouth scramble saw defender Liam Miller handling Langford???s goal bound shot on the line, which saw the defender see red. The resulting penalty was left to Freelands Southgate, Sam Symonds, to take. Despite many team mates looking the other way after the shocker in the Broughton game, the tubby funster calmly sent the keeper the wrong way.

Garsington then started to look nervy as once again it was all Freeland, and striker Salter should of scored when gifted an opportunity eight yards, out and both Calley and Glastonbury went close. But as Freeland pressed for goals it left them exposed at the back and Garsington made it four when they caught Freeland on the break and the prolific Rocky Whiting scored.

Now playing in the front line, grandiose Gus Glastonbury scored the best goal of the game, when he turned the defender on the edge of the area and from twenty yards beat the keeper with ease. Freeland were still hopeful of pulling off a miracle until ten minutes from time Tom Gaughan scored Garsingtons fifth to extinguish Freelands hope of a deserved comeback.

The final score line flattered Garsington and Freeland can be proud that they made them fight all they way, and showed that on there day they can match anyone in the Senior League.