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Photos: Jack Western
James 3rds Qualified for the Cup Quarter Finals after a low key 1-1 draw with Langwith 1sts in what was effect a play-off for the quarter finals with the unenviable challenge for the winner of facing James 1sts. The result leaves Langwith in fifth place in the group and falling to the vase having been in contention for a place in the cup at the start of the day.
The match started quietly with James perhaps having the best of the early skirmishes. A early shot from Andreas Boedt was skied over, but there were no real clear cut chances. James were unable to press their early advantage and Langwith began to take some control over the match, shrugging of their 9-0 thrashing at the hands of of Halifax 1sts, they were certainly in better form than in previous matches.
The Langwith pressure showed with a well taken shot from Matt Morton finding the bottom corner of the net. Langwith continued to look racy with some incisive passes and penetrative attacks. Matthew Jones had a great chance to make it two but a poor touch saw the chance go begging.
James were still dangerous and as the half drew towards its conclusion seemed to gain a foothold once more. Matt Morton had a powerful shot saved by Kris Cheshire.
The Second Half began with James starting brightly. Cheshire somehow kept out a Boedt free kick that seemed destined to score. However shortly afterwards the pressure told, a Ameer Alhassan was met by a Jordan Steel header who absolutely smashed it home to make it 1-1 putting James in pole position for the cup.
James continued to apply the pressure after the goal, clearly aware of the precariousness of their position but where unable to convert their chances into further goals. Will Goodwin had a fantastic opportunity to score but he was unable to control the ball at the crucial moment.
As the end approached the match appeared to become more cagey as James were content to see out the clock and Langwith seemed unable to offer a huge amount in resistance and the match seemed to peter out towards its conclusion despite the finely balanced nature of the group. The result puts James into the quarters, Langwith despite being contention fo second came in in a disappointing 5th.
James Captain Alhasan was absolutely delighted by his sides performance “I’m absolutely ecstatic, We’ve got nothing to lose in the quarter finals against James 1sts, I can’t wait for it. I’m so proud of the team, they’ve been fantastic!”
His Langwith counterpart Matt Jones told Vision “We switched for a second to concede the goal on the free kick to go down. We certainly played better than in earlier matches, but its disappointing not to win”.