Semifinal Lancashire Cup 2010 U 13
Culcheth vs. Springfields 2:0

If the last game was already great, today's succes was even bigger. Culcheth progressed in this very prestigious competition into the final with a very solid performance against last year's cup winner.

Springfields had the better start in the first 10 minutes looking dangerous whenever their tall striker Sam L was receiving the ball and advancing, but the combined effort of Ryan, Sam or Ben kept him at bay. Early on Nik had to come out to retrieve a loose ball.
When Culcheth had settled into the game a few chances fell to our strikers. The best chance came to Luke, who after a great solo effort shot against post. A further shot went only a few inches past the other post.
Springfields themselves had chances and looked particular dangerous from corners and free kicks. In the final minutes of the first half Springfields had a series of corner kicks and Nik had to be on his guard with 2 brilliant close range saves to keep Culcheth in the game. 0:0 at halftime was a fair result.
The 2nd half continued where the first finished. Both teams attacked, though Culcheth seemed to have gained the upper hand esp. in defence and midfield. Rhys was playing deeper to help regaining posession and Ryan had by now their main Striker Sam well under control. In a period of Culcheth's dominance fell also the 1:0, when Luke was played free past the last defender. He took his shot calmly slotting it past their goalkeeper.
This goal suddenly sporned Springfields to go forward and they had immediately a chance when their left winger went passed our defender. His accurate pass was met by a shot, which went very close past the post and touched the net from the outside. Everyone was expecting this shot to go in. Springfields was in the upper hand, but Culcheth never gave up and again gradually regained dominance in midfield. Another delivery to Luke in the last minutes presented him with his 3rd clear chance in the game from the right side of the box. He shook of his defender on the turn and slotted the ball past the goalkeeper into the long corner. 2:0 and more the less the win secured.

In the team talk it was again highlighted that this has been a combined effort of the whole team. Everyone has upped their game for this occassion. Considering that Culcheth had no game since our Quarterfinal this has been truly amazing. In my view Springfileds has been a great opponent, despite the high stakes at this stage of the competition, the game remained fair. Next up is the final and more news on the date and venue in due course.