22.1.12: Wideopen 8 v 1 Bedlington Juniors.  Divisional Cup Quarter Final

Windy Wideopen blow cold then hot!

Today we played host to third division Bedlington Juniors in the quarter final of the Divisional Cup. We were hoping to progress towards  a final against last seasons nemesis Cramlington Juniors.

We started off up the hill and into a very strong wind. Bedlington were truly here for a contest  They are riding high in the third and playing with confidence and a lot of heart. It didn't come as any suprise when after a defensive error in they popped to slide it under the keeper and take a one nil lead. 

We were rattled and still couldn't get into our stride. We persevered though and with our first true passing move , Ryan received the ball wide left, moved into the box and shot past their keeper into the far corner. We were back level pegging. We decided to put Joe on up front to take the pressure off Ben who was battling hard against two big centre backs and It did'nt take long after that for Ben to receive the ball on the edge of the box and shoot past the keeper and make it 2-1 to us. This seemed to settle us ,down Bedlington's heads dropped and we looked a lot better in the run up to half time. 

The second half started, we were down the hill with the strong wind on our back and it didn't take long before we were playing decent passing football. A hat-trick for Joe followed in the first fifteen minutes and Bedlington were well and truly beaten. Dean went back on to rest Joe. A through ball let Rory in between their centre backs,he raced on towards the keeper and hammered it into the net  6-1. A shot towards their goal was parried and Dean was in to make it 7-1. The final nail in Bedlington's coffin came from  a fine individual effort from Freddie who struck a lovely shot into the far corner making it 8-1. 

The final whistle went, we had secured that semi final spot against Blyth Spartans and we're one step nearer to getting our revenge in the final that looms in the not to distant future! 

A special mention for Joe Metcalfe who put in a fine performance after a long time out injured with a knee problem.