Real Pull Off The Ultimate Comeback
With Saturday here, Sunday morning after was looking good for Real, no injuries and no players going AWOL. However, Sunday morning was a totally different story.
Real entered Sunday's game with 3 players out, Rusty and Macey exhausted with there new borns. JB became a proud father of another baby girl. Congrats to JB AND Jess.
On with the game. A shaken up Real team welcomed new signing Shane, brother of Scotty Budding, who was chucked straight in the squad at centre mid with Jord, with Ash slotting in at centre back with the ever present Palmer. Ryan made a rare start at left back with Lips playing his first game at right back. Jason and Lewis got the nod over Simon, Broomy, Herbert and "Galaxy".
With a GFA cup final in sight for A1, they were hoping to improve there league position as they were sitting 4th in the league, with 3 games in hand. Which could of pushed them 2 points off second. Real knew exactly what to expect and with Henbury being a formidable ground, they knew they would have to be on their best game to take anything from the game.
Real started the first half shooting down the slope and again Jason tested the keeper within the first minute and was unlucky not to score. Real were pumped and made several opportunities to take the lead but the A1 keeper made some fine saves. Real continued to split A1 open and an opener looked certain for Real but the keeper was so far the man of the match. With an inexperienced back 4 settling well, a lack of talking let A1 make a rare attack and the young midfielder split the Real defence and the A1 striker rounded Andy and suprisingly gave A1 the lead after 25 minutes. Midfielder Shane soon had a chance to get on the scoresheet but his header fell past the post. This was the last action for the midfield dynamo as his teasing run soon ended in an injury as he was horrible tackled from behind and popped his ankle out. Jason dropped in to centre mid and Broomy came on to partner Lewis. Broomy had Real's best chance. Jord crossed for Broomy but his poor effort went wide from 4 yards and chances were being wasted. Scott Budding was also tackled very high soon after and the ref needed to get a grip of the game as a Real player was going to get his ankle/leg broke.
The half time whistle blew and Real had it all to do playing up the slope.
On with the second half and A1 started how Real did, enjoying playing down the pitch, forcing pressure on the Real back 4. Real's midfield went quite and failed to get involved and Real looked cream crackered. Lewis made way for the return of "galaxy" (Browners) but the game still went in favour for A1. A1 had 2 great chances to extend there lead with free kicks 19 and 20 yards from goal within 5 minutes. Andy made a trully magnificent save to deny A1 with the latter freekick.
With good work from Broomy up the other end, he got Real there reward. A blantant pull from the A1 keeper sent Broomy tumbling and a penalty was awarded. Smithy took the ball in hand and scored the best penalty i have ever ever seen, ever. His speechless finish was top right hand corner. Sweet. Real failed to push on from this and a great cross from the striker 5 minutes later saw Lippy have no option but to stick his leg out and put the ball in his own net. Another wreckless tackle from A1 on Smithy produced a straight red from the ref and this was the chance Real needed. With 15 minutes to go, Real pushed on and A1 opted for the corners to run the clock down.
With 10 minutes left, Herbert came on for Ryan and with Real opting for 3-4-3 they were eager for the equaliser. The A1 skipper kicked the ball away after a free kick had been awarded to Real, and he soon picked up his second yellow, eventually seeing a red card. With the clock at near on 90 minutes, Real gambled and it paid off. Broomy crossed for Herbert to drill home from 20 yards sending a huge roar on and off the pitch. With A1 players arguing with the ref about how long was left, they were all in a mucking fuddle and with only seconds left, Real pushed on the winner. The ball fell to Budding who controlled, looked up then fired home from 25 yards sealing the game for Real and the noise of happiness filled the skies of Henbury. A tremendous finish with only 12 SECONDS of the game remaining. It was a great team effort from the boys. Shortly after, A1 threw all there dummies and toys out complaining again about how long was left, and after several bookings, an A1 player was awarded a straight red card, and several A1 players said "they are not playing anymore" and took down the goal posts and nets! The ref then had no option but to abandon the game. Real should be awarded all 3 points as the game was only seconds from the end. A very hard, battling never say die performance from table toppers Real saw them Henbury with 3 crucial points in the bag.
The Real faithful didn't give me a MOTM so I will award it.