Pegasus Blue v West Bridgford Wolves

YEL Cup 16 October 2010

This was an entertaining match against a 10 man Division One side, although the game was not as close as the score suggests. The opening ten minutes of the game flowed from end to end, on 11 minutes the first real chance came the home sides way, a good cross by Brady found Price who drilled wide. On 3 minutes a quick break from a defensive position, involving good passing between Gillard, Warburton and Price ended with Cerruti dragging his shot wide. On 20 minutes Pegasus fell behind, some indecision in the home side defence, a miss kick and a good finish and the score was 1 – 0 to the visitors. Pegasus responded well , and on 23 minutes equalised, a long throw by Hopcroft found Warburton, who threaded a ball through to Adam Rice. It looked as though he had taken too long and missed his chance, but then struck a low hard left foot shot into the corner 1 – 1. Within 3 minutes of getting back on level terms, the ball-watching Pegasus defence somehow found themselves 3 – 1 down. Pegasus finished the half strongly, denied twice from point blank range by the visiting keeper, then Warburton blazed over when in a good position.

Half time: Pegasus Blue 1 – West Bridgford Wolves 3

Pegasus came flying out of the blocks at the start of the second half, with the visitor’s keeper making superb saves from Rice and Price. On 47 minutes Adam Rice pulled one back from the penalty spot, thumping the ball into the roof of the net. On 55 minutes the Wolves keeper made another great save from Price, then in 59 and 60 minutes Cerruti shot wide twice. 2 minutes later Pegasus levelled, the ball rolled to Aaron Price on the right hand corner of the box, who then smashed the ball into the far top corner, a fantastic goal. In the last few minutes Rice was denied brilliantly by the keeper, then Sean Gordon headed just over from a corner in the last minute. As the whistle blew it was clear the visitors had tired severely during the second half and were not looking forward to extra time.

End of normal time : Pegasus Blue 3 – West Bridgford Wolves 3

Pegasus continued extra time as they had finished normal time, pressing hard, and on 72 minutes the superb Wolves keeper somehow tipped the ball onto the bar from a Rice thunder bolt, the same player then shot narrowly wide on 78 minutes. On 80 minutes all the home team’s hard work paid of, a great run down the left wing by Fraser Dunn, crossing to the far post for a simple tap in by Danny Gillard, and the whistle blew for half time.
Pegasus continued to press during the second half of extra time, with Brady, Rice and Cerutti all going close. Pegasus march on to the next round.

After Extra Time - Pegasus Blue 4 – West Bridgford Wolves 3

MOM – Thomas Hopcroft – A solid performance