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Div 1 Cup Night
2003-2004
27th July 2004
Bunky Chollox,
playing in their third final in four years, once again emerged as Division One
Cup Winners on Tuesday night.
In an evening where
success owed far more to determination and grit than skill this reporter now
attempts to relay some of the tension from the Quarter Final stage onwards,
where BC1 were first pitted against their old adversaries, Spiceboys.
Such encounters are
always difficult and chances few and far between. On this night, however, it was
to be the team in Gold who were to take theirs.
Despite a nervous
opening, Bunky’s soon settled into an organised pattern but the final touches
and intricate moves we’ve all become accustomed to were not quite working.
Although just a few weeks earlier, BC1 had demolished Spiceboys in the league,
the occasion seemed to be affecting confidence and it was a timely strike when
top scorer
Sean de Fraine
turned the defence and struck a low left foot shot into the far corner mid way
through the game.
As the minutes ticked
by, Spiceboys began to push forward in search of an equaliser, imposing
themselves on a resolute Bunky defence and finding ‘keeper Dazistuta on
top form. This pressure left them exposed to the counter-attack and in what
ultimately became the best move of the evening, Russellbaink collected a
loose centre, spun the attacking midfielder before laying the ball off to
Seankamp. An instant flick and Jon ‘deFranio’ was away from the chasing
pack to steal the ball past a closing goalie.
2-0 to Bunky’s and
onwards to the semi-final …
The opponents, following
a 1-0 victory over Crazy B’s were runaway League Champions Crazy MK United.
Crazy.
In another game devoid
of many opportunities, BC1 managed to squander the couple they had and the game
looked destined for penalties when the two substitutes combined. No more than 3
minutes could have remained when Ricardo cut in from the right flank and
poked the ball inside to Mark Rogers. Without missing a stride, he
switched to his favoured left foot and firmly struck the ball past the
outstretched arms of the ‘keeper into the top corner .. hurrah!!
Then, backs to the walls
and in the end it was all too much for the Champions who sulked, bitched and
generally stomped around while the clock ran down and suddenly the final whistle
blew and BC1 had booked their place in the final!
As the game approached,
nervous pacing and silence enveloped the team. No new suits had arrived, no
champagne reception. This was hard core and an opportunity to make the 10th
anniversary year something special. The players knew the tremendous burden they
carried and words were unnecessary...
It was fitting that such
an occasion had delivered Real Shenley their opponents.
A scrappy game saw
Bunky’s start well and control the tempo – but again, chance after chance went
begging. The midfield and forward lines worked tirelessly, closing out attacks
and chasing down searching passes. Russellbaink patrolled the back, allowing
Gazza the opportunity to spring from deep and keep the Shenley boys pegged
back – and then, a free kick, edge of the area ..
A quick knock back, a
flick of the boot and suddenly the ball was nestling in the corner of the
Shenley goal … Rolfriguez had put Bunky’s ahead!!
Despite creating the
chances to increase the lead, the score remained unchanged until right at the
end, when it remained unchanged some more and then the final whistle went ….
Magic!!
BC1 Team
Goal Darren Johnson
7
Defence Gareth Davies 6
Russell Forbes
6
Midfield Mark
Rolfe 8
Jon de Fraine 7
Forward Sean de Fraine
9
Subs. Mark Rogers 6
Richard Moss 6
Ben
Tranter N/A
Richard Armstrong
N/A
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